Abu Dhabi Launches FIDA Finance Cluster Creating 8,000 High-Skill Jobs by 2045.
Abu Dhabi has launched a landmark new financial ecosystem with the introduction of the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster, a strategic initiative designed to generate AED 56 billion ($15.25bn) in GDP, attract AED 17 billion ($4.63bn) in investment, and create 8,000 high-skill jobs by 2045.
The launch follows approval from Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and was officially unveiled at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025.
Spearheaded by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the FIDA cluster aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global centre for fintech, digital assets, advanced insurance, venture capital, private equity, and alternative investments.
Sheikh Khaled described FIDA as a strategic pillar of Abu Dhabi’s future economy, driven by capital, innovation, advanced technologies, and AI-powered financial solutions, reinforcing the UAE’s long-term economic diversification and sustainable growth agenda.
Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s Global Finance Ecosystem
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, stated that FIDA represents a structural investment in next-generation finance, aligning sovereign capital, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, and innovators into a single, integrated global financial architecture.
Meanwhile, Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO, said FIDA establishes Abu Dhabi as a preferred destination for fintech platforms, digital assets, AI-powered insurance, and breakthrough financial technologies.
Funding, Infrastructure and Innovation at Scale
FIDA will support financing for Abu Dhabi’s priority economic clusters, including:
- AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance (AGWA)
- Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI)
- Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM)
The cluster will also expand venture capital, private equity, alternative lending, growth capital, and institutional investment vehicles, empowering SMEs—which account for 42% of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP.
In parallel, FIDA will strengthen insurance, reinsurance, retirement planning, ESG-focused investments, and long-term savings products for both UAE nationals and expatriates.
Backed by Sovereign Wealth and Global Regulation
Regulatory oversight will be led by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of the UAE, ADGM, and the Securities and Commodities Authority, while financial infrastructure will be supported by sovereign wealth funds, pension authorities, Etihad Credit Insurance, and Etihad Credit Bureau.
Innovation and talent development will be driven by Hub71, Khalifa University, UAE University, Emirates Institute of Finance, and ADGM Academy.
Anchored by more than $1.8 trillion in sovereign capital, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its status as the global “Capital of Capital.” Abu Dhabi FIDA cluster, Abu Dhabi fintech hub, UAE financial cluster, Abu Dhabi digital assets, Abu Dhabi alternative investments, Abu Dhabi GDP growth, Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, UAE fintech regulation, ADDED, ADIO, Abu Dhabi investment, UAE financial services, Abu Dhabi innovation economy, UAE economic diversification, Abu Dhabi insurance sector, Abu Dhabi venture capital.
