The Abu Dhabi Investment Office announced a strategic partnership with Bain Capital to support the firm’s regional expansion alongside the launch of the Fintech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster. The announcement took place during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global financial hub. As a result, the partnership aligns public and private sector efforts to accelerate innovation across financial services.
FIDA is designed to develop next-generation financial infrastructure across fintech, alternative investments, digital assets, long-term savings, transition finance and SME capital platforms. Moreover, the cluster is projected to contribute an additional AED56 billion to direct GDP, create 8,000 skilled jobs and attract at least AED17 billion in new investments. Consequently, it represents a significant pillar in Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy.
Building alternative investment platforms
With more than four decades of experience across private equity, venture capital, credit and real estate, Bain Capital brings global expertise and a broad investment network to the collaboration. Through this partnership, both sides will work on establishing Abu Dhabi-based alternative investment platforms that strengthen a locally anchored asset management ecosystem. In turn, this approach supports regional capital deployment and portfolio expansion by targeting opportunities across the Middle East.
Additionally, the partners will explore co-investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the wider region, while working closely with local partners and sovereign entities. At the same time, the collaboration will engage institutional investors and academic institutions to deepen the financial ecosystem. As a result, capital attraction will be reinforced in priority areas such as infrastructure, transition finance and innovation-led sectors.
Talent development and economic impact
Beyond capital deployment, the collaboration places strong emphasis on talent development aligned with FIDA’s long-term objectives. Specifically, it supports research pathways and skills development in alternative investments, risk management and asset advisory. Therefore, financial expertise will be cultivated and scaled from within the ecosystem.
Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said, “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.”
Ultimately, by enabling scalable financial services across alternative investments, digital infrastructure, ESG finance and long-term savings, the FIDA cluster strengthens Abu Dhabi’s shift toward a knowledge-driven economy. Furthermore, it joins existing clusters focused on mobility, agrifood and health in advancing a cohesive, cluster-led model for long-term economic transformation.
