ADGM attracts more registrations despite Iran war

• ADGM registrations up 5%
• 13,300 licences
• $4.4trn AUM newly registered

Company registrations at the Abu Dhabi Global Market financial free zone rose in March, despite increased Iranian strikes across the GCC over the month.

New active licences increased by 5 percent year-on-year, the state-run Abu Dhabi Media Office reported, quoting an ADGM statement.

Total active licences crossed 13,300 after 961 companies registered in the first quarter of 2026, the statement said. No annual percentage increase for that time period was given.

ADGM recorded a 57 percent year-on-year increase in assets under management. Asset managers announcing their establishment in ADGM so far in 2026 hold more than $4.4 trillion.

The number of asset and fund managers increased to 179 between January and March, up 24 percent year on year. The total number of funds managed out of ADGM reached 263, rising 43 percent.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, said investor confidence in Abu Dhabi remains strong, as reflected by the first quarter performance, despite regional uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the number of financial services entities rose to 365, a 30 percent annual increase.

Global and regional asset managers and financial institutions joined the centre in Q1, among them Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment and Grow Investment Group.

Workforce continued to grow in the financial centre, reaching 47,047, a 44 percent year-on-year jump in the first quarter.

• Credit growth undimmed as UAE state bodies raise borrowing
• New laundering rules to help Emirati finance industry
• Alpha Dhabi profit rises 81% as revenue crosses $5bn

In April, the Dubai International Financial Centre said 775 new companies were established between January and March, up 62 percent from the first quarter of 2025.

This month, Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, said UAE banks received far less central bank support during the Iran war than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UAE Central Bank’s emergency measures linked to the Iran conflict totalled AED6.2 billion, supporting 60,000 individuals, 4,300 small and medium-sized enterprises and nearly 500 corporate entities.