In 2026, Abu Dhabi’s asset management story is increasingly told through ADGM’s metrics and momentum. In Q1 2026, ADGM reported a 57% increase in assets under management (AUM), signalling strong business momentum and sustained demand from global and regional asset management firms. In the same quarter, total active licences surpassed 13,353, including 961 new licences issued during the first three months of the year. ADGM also reported that March 2026 recorded a 5.2% increase in new active licences compared to March 2025, reinforcing the sense of continued business confidence around Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem.
The centre’s expansion is not only about headline AUM. It is also about the ecosystem depth that supports fund domiciliation and ongoing fund operations. By the end of Q1 2026, the number of asset and fund managers operating in ADGM rose to 179, up 24% from 144 in Q1 2025. Over the same period, the number of funds managed out of ADGM reached 263, a 43% increase from 184 in Q1 2025. These figures point to a broader base of managers and structures being run from Abu Dhabi, across strategies that ADGM describes as spanning private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, and sustainable finance.
ADGM Growth Signals a Stronger Domiciliation Platform in 2026
New firm entries are a key part of the “capital magnet” narrative around Abu Dhabi. ADGM stated that asset managers establishing operations in Abu Dhabi during 2026 collectively represent more than USD 4.4 trillion in global assets under management. Coverage also named firms expanding into ADGM during the period, including Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, and Hillhouse Investment. International outreach was also highlighted, including engagements in Italy and participation in the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026 in the United States, where ADGM held discussions with firms including Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners, and Man Group. The combined picture is of a platform seeking both scale and breadth in its global relationships.
ADGM’s growth is also supported by operational capacity and staffing, which matter for running funds and serving managers at scale. ADGM reported its workforce reached 47,047 in Q1 2026, marking a 44% increase. It also reported that the number of financial services entities rose to 365, reflecting a 30% increase compared to 281 in Q1 2025. In February 2026, ADGM announced the opening of a new Service Center at The Galleria Al Maryah Island to strengthen direct engagement with businesses and residents across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands. Together, these updates frame a jurisdiction that is investing in service access while expanding its regulated financial-services base.
For readers tracking the Abu Dhabi asset management market into 2026, the practical takeaway is the compounding effect of licences, managers, and funds co-locating in a fast-expanding financial centre. ADGM has stated an ambition to position itself among the world’s top five financial centres, while describing Abu Dhabi as a stable and globally connected destination for investment, underpinned by world-class infrastructure and a forward-looking regulatory framework. The Q1 2026 figures—57% AUM growth, 179 managers, 263 funds, and 13,353 active licences—do not just describe growth in isolation. They also describe the building blocks that can make fund domiciliation and long-term capital allocation easier to sustain from Abu Dhabi.
What changed most in ADGM’s asset management metrics in Q1 2026?
How many active licences did ADGM have in Q1 2026, and how many were new?
How fast did the number of managers and funds grow year on year?
What does the 2026 “capital magnet” effect look like in reported figures?
What are the key 2026 signals for the Abu Dhabi asset management market from ADGM’s data?
