Abu Dhabi Global Market posts 57% surge in assets under management and surpasses 13,353 active licences
Abu Dhabi Global Market posts 57% AUM growth and tops 13,353 active licences in Q1 2026, signalling rising investor confidence and regional financial leadership.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) opened 2026 with a sharp acceleration in activity, reporting a 57% increase in assets under management in the first quarter. The surge, accompanied by a notable rise in active licences, underscores growing demand from global and regional financial firms to operate out of Abu Dhabi. ADGM said the results reflect deepening investor confidence and an expanding ecosystem for asset managers and funds.
Assets under management jump 57% in Q1 2026
ADGM reported that assets under management increased by 57% year-on-year during the first quarter, marking the centre’s strongest opening quarter in recent years. The gain reflects inflows and the decision by several managers to domicile or expand operations within the Abu Dhabi jurisdiction.
Officials framed the AUM growth as evidence that ADGM’s legal, regulatory and operational infrastructure is attracting larger pools of capital. The jump also points to accelerating activity across private markets, funds and institutional mandates managed from the centre.
Active licences exceed 13,353 as quarterly issuances climb
The financial free zone said it recorded a total of 13,353 active licences, having issued 961 new licences in Q1 2026 alone. The licence tally places ADGM ahead of peers in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region on this metric, according to the centre’s release.
Month-on-month comparisons showed continued momentum, with March 2026 delivering a 5.2% increase in active licences compared with March 2025. ADGM described the quarterly licence intake as a sign that companies increasingly view Abu Dhabi as a primary regional hub.
Operating companies and managers show strong expansion
The number of operational companies within ADGM rose to 3,741, up from 2,781 in the first quarter of 2025 — a 34.5% increase. That expansion captures growth across legal, advisory, fiduciary and support service firms that serve the centre’s financial community.
Separately, the count of asset and fund managers operating from ADGM climbed to 179, a 24% increase from 144 a year earlier. The number of funds administered from the centre also surged to 263, compared with 184 in Q1 2025, representing a 43% year-on-year gain.
Global asset managers bring significant AUM to the jurisdiction
ADGM said asset management firms that established operations during 2026 collectively manage more than $4.4 trillion in global assets. The centre argued that attracting firms with substantial global AUM enhances Abu Dhabi’s connectivity to international capital markets and investor networks.
Regulatory clarity, market access and a growing local talent pool were cited as key factors in managers’ decisions to set up or expand. ADGM has positioned itself as a platform for cross-border fund distribution, custody and institutional servicing, which appeals to managers seeking a regional base.
Chairman highlights momentum and investor confidence
Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said the Q1 results demonstrate the rapid pace of development in Abu Dhabi’s financial sector. He noted that surpassing 13,353 active licences and achieving AUM growth of 57% are milestones that reinforce ADGM’s status among the fastest-growing international financial centres.
Al Zaabi pointed to ongoing capital inflows and the expansion of international firms as indicators of sustained trust in Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem. He added that the emirate continues to attract specialised talent and that companies are broadening operations across asset classes and service lines.
Regional positioning and outlook for the remainder of 2026
With licence counts and manager numbers rising, ADGM is increasingly framed as a regional hub for asset management and fund domiciliation. The centre’s performance in the opening quarter suggests it is benefiting from strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing cross-border investment platforms and regulatory competitiveness.
Looking ahead, ADGM faces the challenge of converting licence growth into long-term operational depth, including increased employment, local capital markets activity and ancillary services. Continued coordination with regulators and market participants will be crucial to sustain inflows and support a maturing ecosystem.
The first-quarter report positions Abu Dhabi Global Market as a focal point for asset managers seeking stability, regional reach and regulatory clarity, setting a tone of cautious optimism for the rest of 2026.
