{
  "id": 6271887,
  "title": "ADGM's workforce nears 50,000 as financial hub adds more asset managers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/adgms-workforce-nears-50-000-as-financial-hub-adds-more-asset-managers-6271887",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T10:46:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/09/08/adgms-workforce-nears-50000-as-financial-hub-adds-more-asset-managers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abu Dhabi's financial hub, ADGM, has experienced a significant increase in its workforce, nearing 50,000 professionals. This growth is attributed to the addition of more asset managers in the first half of the year. The total assets under management at ADGM grew by 54% annually during this period. The island hosts a workforce of 49,027 professionals, marking a 34% increase compared to the same period last year. The number of active licenses in ADGM reached approximately 14,000, with 1,814 issued during the first half of the year. This includes operating companies, financial institutions, holding, and investment structures. Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, highlighted the sustained international confidence in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the city's position as the capital of capital. Despite the ongoing Iran war, ADGM has attracted several high-profile companies such as Blue Owl Capital, Vista Equity Partners, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Cantor, and Adapt Investment Managers. The number of fund and asset managers based in ADGM increased by 23% annually to 190, with 11 new managers added in the second quarter. Funds at the hub also rose by 32% year-on-year to 276. Several trillion-dollar asset managers, including BlackRock, State Street, Prudential Financial's PGIM, Nuveen, and Capital Group, have anchored operations in ADGM. Additionally, ADGM is witnessing a rise in institutions deploying capital into artificial intelligence, with over $100 billion in AI-focused investments held by entities established in the financial center. The first phase of ADGM's AI implementation has reduced manual workload by more than 5,000 staff hours annually. To further scale AI responsibly, ADGM plans to invest over Dh400 million ($109 million) over the next six years to expand capabilities, strengthen digital infrastructure, and modernize core regulatory and operational systems.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi's financial centre ADGM said its workforce has risen to nearly 50,000 as the financial hub welcomed more asset managers in the first half of the year. Assets under management at ADGM grew 54 per cent annually in the first six months, with 49,027 professionals now based out of Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, an increase of 34 per cent on the same period last year. The number of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "ADGM's workforce nears 50,000 as financial hub adds more asset managers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/adgms-workforce-nears-50-000-as-financial-hub-adds-more-asset-managers",
        "published": "2026-09-08T10:46:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}