ADGM’s growth positions Abu Dhabi as fastest growing IFC in the region

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) accomplished several notable achievements in 2022, making it the fastest-growing International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the region. ADGM has been instrumental in positioning Abu Dhabi as a leading financial powerhouse and a ‘falcon economy’ by leveraging its strengths and contributing to innovation, transformation, and diversification across various key sectors.

In 2022, ADGM’s strategic impetus across traditional and new-age finance clusters created opportunities for commercial development, local market adoption, and access to talent. The IFC enhanced its operating model, organisation structure, streamlined processes, and improved systems to improve efficiency.

key achievements in 2022:  Assets under management grew by 56% in 2022, while ADGM Square’s workforce reflected 10,954 talented individuals as compared to 8,522 in 2021, displaying a rise of 29%.

ADGM also signed a total of 25 MoUs in 2022, promoting the centre’s business-friendly environment that facilitates ease of doing business, customer service and seamless integration of operations within the IFC.

The numbers of total active licences at ADGM were 5546, including both financial services firms and non-financial firms compared to 4262 companies reported in 2021, showcasing a total increase of 30% of active licences in 2022.

Operational entities within ADGM showcased a growth of 30% with the total number rising from 1,061 to 1,378 and ADGM-registered companies Borouge, Burjeel Holdings, Bayanat AI, and Americana Restaurants got listed last year on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). American Restaurants got dual listing as it was also listed on Saudi Exchange. Anghami, which has its global headquarters and R&D centre in ADGM completed its listing on NASDAQ in 2022.  An additional space of 32,000 sqm was added with the introduction of Al Maryah tower in 2022, reflecting the ongoing growth of occupancy in ADGM square and a testament to the centre being an attractive destination for global anchors and financial institutions to establish their presence in ADGM.-

ADGM has positioned itself as a leading international financial centre in the Middle East and Africa region and is globally recognised as the 32nd best international financial centre as per the GFCI 32 report.-

In 2022, the caseload for ADGM Courts increased significantly to 317 cases, compared to 139 cases in 2021, with over 80% of those cases due to parties outside ADGM selecting the Court to resolve their disputes.