February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is a sovereign wealth fund established in 1976 to invest the surplus revenues of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, primarily derived from hydrocarbon exports. ADIA operates as a globally diversified investment institution, deploying capital across more than two dozen asset classes and sub-categories including equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, infrastructure, and alternative investments across virtually every major market worldwide.

UAE Context

ADIA is among the three largest sovereign wealth funds in the world, with estimated assets under management exceeding USD 990 billion. Unlike Mubadala, which pursues strategic domestic investments, ADIA’s mandate is primarily international, preserving and growing Abu Dhabi’s wealth for future generations. The fund maintains a deliberately low public profile, rarely disclosing specific holdings or performance figures. ADIA employs over 1,800 professionals from more than 65 nationalities, reflecting its global investment approach.

Key Data

  • Founded: 1976
  • Estimated AUM: Over USD 990 billion
  • Global ranking: Consistently ranked among the top three sovereign wealth funds worldwide
  • Investment scope: Over two dozen asset classes across developed and emerging markets
  • Workforce: Approximately 1,800 employees from 65+ nationalities
  • Headquarters: Abu Dhabi

Significance for Vision 2031

ADIA serves as the UAE’s primary mechanism for intergenerational wealth preservation. While not directly mandated with domestic economic development, ADIA’s global returns provide Abu Dhabi with a financial buffer that enables ambitious domestic reforms under Vision 2031. The fund’s long-term investment horizon ensures that even as oil revenues eventually decline, the emirate retains substantial financial resources to fund diversification, infrastructure, and social programs.

  • Sovereign Wealth Fund - The broader category to which ADIA belongs
  • Mubadala - Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment company with a more domestic focus
  • ADNOC - The oil company whose revenues historically funded ADIA