Abu Dhabi Global Market has reported another quarter of growth, with assets under management rising 57% as more fund managers, financial services firms and operational entities build a presence in the emirate’s international financial centre.

ADGM ended Q1 2026 with 13,353 active licences, after issuing 961 new licences during the quarter. The figure marks a net increase of 2,783 licences since Q1 2025 and reflects what the financial centre described as continued demand from businesses establishing operations in Abu Dhabi.

The strongest growth came from asset management. The number of asset and fund managers operating in ADGM rose 24% year-on-year to 179, while the number of funds managed out of the centre increased 43% to 263.

Asset managers drive record expansion

ADGM’s latest figures come during a busy period for global asset manager activity in Abu Dhabi.

The financial centre said asset managers announcing their establishment in ADGM in 2026 collectively represent more than $4.4 trillion in global assets under management. Recent announcements include Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Muzinich & Co., Madison Realty Capital and Grow Investment Group.

Other firms, including Rokos Capital Management, Polygreen Holdings and Hashed, have also announced ADGM plans, adding to activity across hedge funds, alternative investments and digital assets.

Vista Equity Partners has also opened an Abu Dhabi office within ADGM after securing full regulatory authorisation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The firm said its new presence would support investment advisory and deal arrangement activity across the region.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, said: “ADGM’s performance in the first quarter of 2026 reflects the scale, pace, and growing global relevance of Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem. Surpassing 13,000 active licences and recording 57% growth in assets under management marks another major milestone in ADGM’s growth trajectory and reinforces its position among the world’s fastest-growing international financial centres. Investor confidence in Abu Dhabi remains strong. Capital continues to flow, global firms continue to expand, and talent continues to relocate to Abu Dhabi. During the recent period of regional uncertainty, ADGM continued to grow, reflecting sustained demand and long-term confidence in Abu Dhabi’s institutional environment.”

Financial services firms increase

ADGM’s financial services sector also expanded in Q1. The number of financial services entities rose 30% year-on-year to 365, compared with 281 in Q1 2025.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority issued 22 in-principle approvals during the quarter. Firms also secured 29 new Financial Services Permissions, a 45% increase compared with the same period last year.

ADGM linked this growth to continued demand from global and regional financial institutions, as well as its regulatory framework and direct application of English Common Law.

The number of operational entities across ADGM reached 3,741, up 34.52% from 2,781 in Q1 2025. The financial centre also pointed to recent real estate-related initiatives, including a Broker Classification Framework and new services introduced by its Registration Authority.

Milken activity adds to global push

The Q1 update follows ADGM’s participation in the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in Los Angeles, where its delegation held more than 50 meetings with global policymakers, institutional investors, asset managers and financial leaders.

Those engagements included meetings with Man Group, Bain Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle, Coinbase and Guggenheim Partners. ADGM framed the activity as part of a broader effort to convert institutional interest into long-term partnerships and market entry.

The recent run of announcements includes firms with large global asset bases. Capital Group, which manages around $3.3 trillion, and Man Group, with $228.7 billion in assets under management, have announced plans to establish in Abu Dhabi. Bain Capital, Barings, Hillhouse Investment Management and Muzinich & Co. have also opened offices in ADGM.

Workforce reaches 47,047

ADGM’s workforce reached 47,047 in Q1 2026, representing a 44% increase.

ADGM Academy created 441 job placement opportunities for UAE nationals across nine specialised tracks during the same period. The academy supported those programmes with nine internationally recognised upskilling and reskilling certifications.

The workforce figures add another layer to ADGM’s growth story, with the centre positioning itself not only as a base for capital and funds, but also as a hub for financial services talent.

International links broaden

ADGM also expanded its international engagement during the quarter, with activity across China, India, Singapore, Italy and the United States.

In Asia, ADGM signed a strategic partnership with Shenzhen’s Futian District, focused on innovation, capital markets connectivity and business exchange. It also continued outreach in India and Singapore.

He added: “This continued momentum reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a stable, trusted, and globally connected destination for investment underpinned by world-class infrastructure, a robust and forward-looking regulatory framework, and deepening access to international talent and expertise.”

ADGM has set out an ambition to rank among the world’s top five financial centres. Its Q1 figures show continued growth across licences, funds, financial services firms and workforce numbers, with asset management providing much of the latest momentum.