Abu Dhabi is shifting from a visiting hub to a permanent operational base for global financial and technology institutions, according to market executives interviewed by Gulf News. Sustaining this growth requires companies to invest in permanent local capabilities rather than relying on brief visits or software acquisitions alone.
Historically, international asset managers visited the emirate to pitch sovereign wealth funds while managing capital out of financial centres like London or New York, stated Nagham Hassan, Market Analyst at eToro. In contrast, firms are increasingly establishing local offices to manage assets directly from Abu Dhabi. In the first half of 2026, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) recorded more than 190 asset and fund managers managing 276 funds, with total assets under management increasing 54 percent compared to the prior year.
Establishing a permanent operational footprint introduces significant operational costs beyond physical leasing and recruitment. Cybersecurity in particular is highlighted as an underestimated expense, with industry specialists noting that firms often misjudge requirements by focusing primarily on software licenses.
Hadi Anwar, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi-headquartered cybersecurity firm CPX, stated that the most underestimated security costs are not the technology products themselves, but the personnel, processes, and recovery capabilities supporting them, a necessity made more pressing by the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence.
Sources
- Gulf News · 2026-10-19
