Company registrations at the Abu Dhabi Global Market financial free zone experienced a notable rise in March despite a backdrop of increased Iranian strikes across the GCC during the month.
Abu Dhabi Media Office reported a 5% YoY increase in new active licences, with total active licences surpassing 13,300 following the registration of 961 companies in the first quarter of 2026.
ADGM also recorded a remarkable 57% YoY surge in assets under management, with asset managers that have established themselves in ADGM this year holding over $4.4T.
The number of asset and fund managers rose to 179 in the quarter, representing a 24% annual increase, while the total number of funds managed from ADGM reached 263: a 43% YoY rise.
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.”
Global and regional asset managers and financial institutions, including Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment and Grow Investment Group, joined the centre during Q1.
The workforce within the financial centre continued to expand, marking a 44% increase in the first quarter.
DIFC also announced the establishment of 775 new companies between January and March, a surge of 62% compared to the same period in 2025.
The UAE Central Bank’s emergency measures in response to the Iran conflict totalled AED 6.2B.
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