Abu Dhabi has launched a significant new monetary cluster designed to speed up the emirate’s management in fintech, insurance coverage, digital belongings and different investments, following approval from Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Government Council.
The FinTech, Insurance coverage, Digital and Various Belongings (FIDA) cluster was introduced at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025.
Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Division of Financial Growth (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Funding Workplace (ADIO), the cluster goals to strengthen the emirate’s place as a world centre for superior finance and funding.
FinTech, Insurance coverage, Digital and Various Belongings cluster in Abu Dhabi
By 2045, FIDA is projected to contribute a further AED56bn ($15.25bn) to Abu Dhabi’s gross home product, create 8,000 new expert jobs and appeal to a minimum of AED17bn ($4.63bn) in funding, supporting the UAE’s wider financial diversification agenda.
Sheikh Khaled mentioned the launch of FIDA represents a strategic step towards constructing an built-in international monetary ecosystem powered by capital, innovation, superior applied sciences and AI-driven options.
The cluster is designed to reinforce competitiveness throughout fintech, funding and the digital financial system, whereas reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s regional and worldwide management in these sectors.
He emphasised the significance of creating progressive financial infrastructure to draw buyers, startups and entrepreneurs, aligned with the UAE management’s directives to advance sustainable financial progress.
Abu Dhabi financial system surge
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, mentioned: “Abu Dhabi’s financial technique is constructed on long-term horizon planning and the precept that capital, expertise and innovation should circulation by way of world-class infrastructure. The FIDA cluster is a structural funding for the long run.
“By coordinating efforts throughout regulators, sovereign capital, monetary establishments and innovators, FIDA strengthens the foundations of next-generation finance and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s international positioning because the Capital of Capital.”
Badr Al-Olama, Director-Basic of ADIO, mentioned: “FIDA marks a step-change in Abu Dhabi’s position in international finance. We now have the structure of a world monetary centre the place digital innovation, fintech transformation and next-generation applied sciences meet strategic capital and forward-looking regulation from the outset.
“By bringing buyers, regulators, international establishments and expertise innovators into an built-in cluster, Abu Dhabi is the popular vacation spot for these constructing digital belongings, AI-powered insurance coverage and breakthrough fintech platforms.”
By means of built-in programme pillars, the FIDA cluster goals to develop institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure, superior fintech platforms and regulatory frameworks that meet worldwide requirements and might function a world benchmark.
FIDA infrastructure
FIDA can even present tailor-made monetary infrastructure for key Abu Dhabi clusters, together with:
- AgriFood Development and Water Abundance (AGWA)
- Good and Autonomous Automobile Industries (SAVI)
- Well being, Endurance, Longevity and Drugs (HELM)
This can assist progressive corporations throughout the financial system entry applicable financing, handle threat and scale successfully.
The cluster expands entry to various funding sources—similar to different lending, enterprise debt and progress capital—for small and medium enterprises, which account for 42 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP.
Infrastructure for personal fairness, enterprise capital, actual property funding autos and different belongings will help institutional and certified buyers.
In parallel, FIDA will strengthen Abu Dhabi’s insurance coverage and reinsurance capability, advance risk-management options and help the event of investor-protected financial savings autos, long-term financial savings choices and retirement planning frameworks for UAE nationals and expatriates.
FIDA brings collectively an intensive accomplice ecosystem spanning regulation, financing, infrastructure, innovation and expertise improvement. Regulatory oversight might be coordinated by the Ministry of Finance, Central Financial institution of the UAE, ADGM and the Securities and Commodities Authority.
Financing companions embody the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Growth and a number of sovereign wealth funds and household workplaces, whereas infrastructure companions similar to Al Etihad Funds, Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, Basic Pension and Social Safety Authority, Etihad Credit score Insurance coverage and Etihad Credit score Bureau will construct the monetary and digital spine of the cluster.
Future financial system
Innovation and R&D help might be led by Hub71, United Arab Emirates College, Khalifa College, the Emirates Institute of Finance and the ADGM Academy.
A devoted expertise improvement community will increase experience in actuarial science, fintech engineering, quantitative finance and associated disciplines.
Anchored by greater than $1.8tn in sovereign wealth and world-class regulatory frameworks, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its place because the Capital of Capital.
The emirate’s in depth community of double-taxation, funding safety and commerce agreements ensures environment friendly, treaty-backed entry to main markets throughout Europe, North America and Asia for corporations working throughout the FIDA cluster.
