The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced a strategic partnership with global private investment firm Bain Capital, a major move to expand the firm’s presence in the region. The collaboration coincides with the launch of the new Fintech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster, unveiled during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025.
Launching The FIDA Cluster
The FIDA cluster is a key government initiative aimed at developing next-generation financial infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. It will focus on critical areas including fintech, alternative investments, digital assets, transition finance, long-term savings, and SME capital platforms.
The initiative has ambitious economic goals, projected to contribute an additional AED 56 billion to the direct GDP, create 8,000 new skilled jobs, and attract at least AED 17 billion in new investments to the emirate.
A Strategic Partnership
Leveraging over four decades of experience in private equity, venture capital, and real estate, Bain Capital will bring its extensive expertise and global network to support the FIDA cluster’s objectives.
Through the partnership, ADIO and Bain Capital will work together to establish Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment platforms. A primary goal is to foster a locally anchored asset management ecosystem that can effectively drive capital deployment across the region and expand investment portfolios by targeting local opportunities.
The two entities will also collaborate on co-investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the wider region, engaging with local partners and sovereign entities to deploy capital into transformative projects.
Fostering Talent and Expertise
A key component of the collaboration is talent development. The partnership aligns with FIDA’s strategy to create pathways for research and skills enhancement in specialized fields such as alternative investments, risk management, and asset advisory. This focus is designed to ensure that deep financial expertise is embedded and scaled from within the Abu Dhabi ecosystem.
Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, stated, “Through this collaboration with Bain Capital, we are creating strategic channels for financial innovation that serve institutional needs, while giving global investors a stable base in Abu Dhabi to originate, structure and deploy capital across the region.”
David Gross, Co-Managing Partner at Bain Capital, commented, “Abu Dhabi’s strategic location, business-friendly environment, and commitment to innovation make it an ideal base for expanding our regional footprint. We look forward to working with ADIO to identify compelling investment opportunities and contribute to the development of a world-class financial services sector that benefits investors, entrepreneurs, and communities across the region.”
About The FIDA Cluster
The FIDA cluster is a strategic initiative by Abu Dhabi to build advanced financial infrastructure and services. By enabling scalable solutions across alternative investments, digital infrastructure, ESG finance, and long-term savings, FIDA supports the emirate’s broader diversification efforts towards a knowledge-driven economy. It joins other key clusters like SAVI (Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry), AGWA (AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance), and HELM (Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine) in advancing Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation strategy.
Source: Zawya
