Why Abu Dhabi and ADGM is the ‘Capital of Capital’

At Sovereign PPG, we are seeing clear evidence that Abu Dhabi’s rise as a global financial and business hub is not just a narrative but a measurable trend. In Abu Dhabi, enquiries from the emirate rose by roughly 36% percent, while those originating from ADGM surged by about 72% percent in 2025, as compared to 2024, highlighting a clear shift in business interest toward the capital.

In 2025, Abu Dhabi accounted for 10.9% of total regional leads, up from 7.9% in 2024. ADGM’s share grew from 3.0% to 4.9%, marking one of the strongest year-on-year gains across our portfolio. This might sound modest at first, but considering it reflects performance across six regions and competition from multiple UAE free zones, the growth is a clear indicator of ADGM’s rising appeal and influence. These figures confirm that companies seeking stability, transparency, and opportunity are increasingly drawn to the capital’s ecosystem.

This shift underscores the concentration of market interest in Abu Dhabi and its financial free zones. Financial free zones across the region are increasingly becoming the first choice for investors and businesses, driven by their common law frameworks and the growing credibility they have built year after year. Abu Dhabi offers a noticeably calmer and more measured pace than Dubai, while matching it in potential and opportunity. This balance between focus and ambition is one of the capital’s most attractive qualities for both investors and businesses seeking sustainable, long-term growth.

The transformation is structural. ADGM has become the largest and fastest-growing international financial centre in the MENA region, with over 11,000 active licences as of mid-2025 and a 42% rise in assets under management. Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy is accelerating, particularly in finance, professional services, and technology. The emirate’s diversification drive, often referred to as the “falcon economy”, is being realised through both policy execution and private-sector response. This momentum is particularly topical with Abu Dhabi Finance Week approaching early December 2025, further spotlighting the capital’s growing stature in the global financial landscape.

Capital market depth is expanding as well. ADNOC continues to lead with landmark listings, including its $2.84 billion marketed offering for its gas division earlier this year. These transactions strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a transparent, high-liquidity marketplace and foster confidence among institutional investors and multinational corporates. We report more than 50% of our total Abu Dhabi leads in 2025 are still strongly tied to ADNOC and the wider oil and gas industry, despite efforts to diversify, it remains a core sector.

The human element of this growth is equally important. Abu Dhabi’s professional community has matured into one of the most active and internationally connected in the region. Business councils such as the British Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi, the Canadian Business Council, and the Australian Business Group, together with dynamic networking environments across ADGM Square, Etihad Towers, and Saadiyat Island, are shaping a collaborative ecosystem where ideas move quickly and partnerships form naturally. For new investors entering the region, we strongly recommend engaging with these professional networks. There is effectively a council or group for nearly every major country, and the value of building strong relationships cannot be overstated in a business landscape where trust and connectivity often drive opportunity.

For Sovereign PPG, this evolution aligns with our own trajectory. Clients seeking an agile, innovation-led environment increasingly view Abu Dhabi and ADGM as the natural choice for regional expansion. The rise in enquiries we have recorded reflects a decisive shift in corporate strategy toward regulated, globally aligned jurisdictions that balance opportunity with long-term security.

Looking ahead, we expect enquiry volumes to continue rising as Abu Dhabi consolidates its position as a global business and financial hub. ADNOC-driven growth, strategic infrastructure investment, and supportive regulation will keep strengthening the city’s proposition as the true “Capital of Capital.”