Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026 | Dubai Finance

Every December, the financial world turns its attention to one city: Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) has grown into the Middle East's largest and most influential financial event, bringing together global investors, central banks, regulators, and fintech leaders under one roof to shape the future of global finance.

If you work in finance, banking, investment, or fintech, ADFW 2026 deserves a spot on your calendar. Here's everything you need to know — dates, venue, speakers, what happened at the last edition, and how to register.

What Is Abu Dhabi Finance Week?

Abu Dhabi Finance Week is an annual, multi-day financial event organized by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the emirate's international financial free zone. The event brings together global investors, policymakers, fintech founders, and regulators to discuss the future of capital markets, digital assets, sustainable finance, and global economic policy.

ADGM has built ADFW into a core part of Abu Dhabi's financial identity — a positioning often summed up in the event's own tagline: "The Capital of Capital."

Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026 — Dates

The next edition of ADFW — its 5th edition — is scheduled for:

• Dates: 7–10 December 2026
• Duration: 4 days
• Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE (Al Maryah Island — ADGM's financial district)
• Organizer: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

These dates are confirmed by ADGM's official announcements following the close of ADFW 2025.

ADFW 2026 Recap — How Big Was the Last Edition?

To understand the scale ADFW 2026 is building on, here's what happened at ADFW 2026, which attracted more than 35,000 participants, with international attendees accounting for over 30 percent of the total, representing 175 nationalities across 68 events and 394 specialized sessions.

Key numbers from ADFW 2026:

• 819 influential speakers took part, alongside more than 69 global and regional partners
• For the first time in the event's history, total assets represented during the week surpassed US$62 trillion — equivalent to 53 percent of global GDP
• 82 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between global, regional, and local entities
• ADGM welcomed 11 global financial institutions managing over $9 trillion in assets under management in the run-up to and during the event
• Mubadala and Aldar announced a roughly AED 60 billion (about $16.34 billion) joint venture to expand ADGM's district on Al Maryah Island by 1.5 million square meters
• An inaugural Financial Centres Competitiveness Index, unveiled by NYU Abu Dhabi's Stern School of Business, ranked Abu Dhabi as the top financial centre in the MENA region and 12th globally

These numbers explain why ADFW is widely regarded as the region's flagship financial gathering — and why expectations for the 2026 edition are already high.

High-Profile Speakers at ADFW 2026

ADFW 2025 drew some of the biggest names in global finance, including:

• Sergio Ermotti — Group CEO, UBS
• Philipp Hildebrand — Vice Chairman, BlackRock
• Oliver Bäte — CEO, Allianz SE
• Jenny Johnson — President & CEO, Franklin Templeton
• Clare Woodman — CEO International, Morgan Stanley
• Bill Gates — confirmed participation shortly before the event

ADFW 2026 Speakers — Confirmed So Far

Speaker announcements for ADFW 2026 are rolling out on a regular basis. Confirmed names so far include:

• Oliver Bate — CEO & Chairman of the Board of Management, Allianz SE
• Jenny Johnson — CEO, Franklin Templeton
• Tan Su Shan — CEO & Director, DBS Group
• H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi — Chairman, ADGM and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
• H.E. Shamis Al Dhaheri — Second Vice Chairman & Managing Director, ADCCI

The full, updated speaker line-up is published on the official adfw.com website as new names are announced.

What Kind of Events Happen at ADFW?

ADFW isn't a single conference — it's a collection of thematic forums running in parallel across the four days, including:

1. Investment & Capital Markets Forum — bringing together leading global investment and financial leaders
2. FinTech Festival — the region's largest fintech gathering, where founders and entrepreneurs explore the future of finance
3. Climate & Sustainable Finance Forum — focused on net-zero strategies and sustainable investment
4. Digital Assets & Tokenization Sessions — covering crypto regulation, blockchain, and digital asset innovation
5. AI in Finance — exploring AI-powered investment solutions and automation
6. Family Office & Alternatives — dedicated sessions for private wealth and alternative investment leaders

Venue: Where Is Abu Dhabi Finance Week Held?

ADFW takes place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, specifically on Al Maryah Island, home to ADGM's international financial free zone. The district is Abu Dhabi's modern financial hub, with world-class conference venues, hotels, and business towers built specifically to host events of this scale.

Registration and Tickets

Attendance at ADFW follows a mixed access model:

• Some sessions are open for registration to industry professionals and the general public
• High-level forums and exclusive sessions are invite-only

Pricing and registration availability change from year to year, so the most reliable way to register is to visit the official ADFW website (adfw.com) directly, or follow ADFW's official social channels (LinkedIn, X) for the latest updates on registration windows and access tiers.

Why ADFW Matters for the Finance Industry

ADFW has positioned itself as more than a conference — it's become a venue where major regulatory milestones, multi-billion-dollar joint ventures, and global partnerships are announced. From the first global crypto exchange licence issued under ADGM's framework to multi-trillion-dollar capital commitments, ADFW has become a barometer for where global finance is heading next.

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi Finance Week keeps getting bigger every year — the $62 trillion in assets represented and 35,000+ attendees at ADFW 2025 make that clear. ADFW 2026, running 7–10 December, looks set to build on that momentum with new speakers, new announcements, and critical conversations about the future of global finance.

If you're in finance, fintech, or investment, ADFW 2026 should be on your radar.