ADGM Q1 2025: Strong Growth and Global Financial Success

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: WAM

ADGM, the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, had a strong start to 2025. After a record-breaking 2024, ADGM kept growing and gaining more global attention in the first three months of 2025.

In the first quarter of 2025, ADGM saw big improvements in many important areas. This was thanks to strong trust from investors worldwide, better rules, and important projects happening in the newly expanded area on Al Reem Island.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, the Chairman of ADGM, said, "Our results in early 2025 show the start of another important year. This proves ADGM can keep growing steadily and shows the trust we have earned from global and regional groups. This trust helps make Abu Dhabi a top place for finance and innovation."

He added, "ADGM is known as the safest and most active place for managing assets and wealth. We continue to grow with clear goals, welcoming top companies, building strong global partnerships, and leading digital and green changes. We want to support the UAE’s long-term economic plans by encouraging investment and new ideas."

One big area of growth was asset management. In the first quarter of 2025, assets under management grew by 33% compared to the same time in 2024. By the end of March 2025, there were 119 asset and fund managers handling 184 funds in ADGM.

The total number of active companies in ADGM grew by 43% to 2,781, compared to the same time last year. Financial services companies grew by 26% to 367.

ADGM also attracted many new international firms wanting to use Abu Dhabi’s unique financial and legal setup. The number of new licences grew by 67% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024.

Some well-known companies that started working in ADGM during this time include Skadden, Investindustrial, NewVest, Arcapita, Polen Capital, Seviora, Olive Gaea, TON, and Aquila Group.

ADGM is also focusing on its people. The workforce on Al Maryah Island grew by 17% to over 29,000 workers compared to last year. Also, 3,509 new work permits were given to businesses in Al Reem Island.

To support this, ADGM introduced new Employment Regulations to protect workers while keeping business flexible. These rules help ADGM attract talent and support a sustainable and inclusive economy.

ADGM finished expanding to Al Reem Island during Q1 2025, with strong results. More than 600 new businesses started on Al Reem Island, and over 500 companies moved their licences there. Now, 1,100 companies work in this expanded area.

In January, ADGM lowered fees for commercial licences by 50% or more for non-financial and retail businesses. This helps small and medium businesses grow and diversify. The new fee system is simpler, with a flat fee of AED1,000, making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.

In March, ADGM signed an agreement with Chainlink, a leader in onchain finance. This partnership will help create new rules for digital tokenisation using Chainlink’s technology.

ADGM also welcomed Stacks Asia and Bitgrit, which will use ADGM’s advanced Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) framework.

ADGM launched a new mobile app in Q1 2025 to improve the digital experience for businesses, workers, and residents. It also introduced a digital platform for real estate deals, allowing fully online property sales and purchases—this is the first platform of its kind in the region.

ADGM Academy created 800 new job opportunities for UAE nationals in nine special training programs. The Academy also offered 23 internationally recognised courses for upskilling and reskilling workers.

The Academy made two important partnerships: one with Arab Youth to support young Arabs and innovation in tech, and another with the Federal Tax Authority to provide training aligned with the national plan.

Finally, ADGMA Research Centre published six research papers focused on how AI is affecting the UAE’s financial sector.

Overall, ADGM’s growth in Q1 2025 shows strong progress and a bright future as a global financial and innovation centre.