Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group proudly commemorates its silver jubilee - 25 years of innovation, resilience, and contribution to Abu Dhabi's economic progress. Established in 2000 as the youngest exchange in the region, the ADX now ranks among the world's top 20 exchanges by market capitalisation, reflecting the emirate's long-term vision and the exchange's rapid rise as a global capital markets leader.
According to Emirates News Agency, over the last 25 years, the ADX has achieved remarkable milestones that have shaped the capital markets and financial industry in the UAE and in the region. From just 12 listed companies in its early years to more than 200 securities today, the ADX has grown into a more than 3 trillion-dirham market and a vital pillar of Abu Dhabi's economic architecture. With 1.2 million investors from more than 200 nationalities, the ADX has become a gateway for global capital and a trusted marketplace that reflects the diversity and ambition of the UAE.
Earlier this year, the ADX established the ADX Group, comprising Abu Dhabi Clear (AD Clear) and Abu Dhabi Central Securities Depository (AD CSD). This integrated structure enhances market efficiency, improves post-trade services, and equips the exchange for its next phase of growth in line with Abu Dhabi's strategy to build a world-class financial ecosystem.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group CEO of the ADX Group, remarked on the exchange's 25-year journey of resilience and progress, noting its role as a global marketplace connecting Abu Dhabi with international capital and diverse investment opportunities. The focus is now on expanding products, deepening liquidity, embracing technology, and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
Abu Dhabi's capital markets have undergone significant transformation, particularly in the last five years. Since 2020, IPOs on the ADX have raised approximately 59 billion dirhams, driven by strong economic fundamentals and sustained investor demand. In 2023, the ADX generated around 18 billion dirhams in IPO proceeds, continuing this momentum in 2024 with nearly 12.8 billion dirhams raised. ADX-listed companies now operate across multiple countries, extending Abu Dhabi's economic influence beyond the region.
ADX-listed companies have supported national prosperity by distributing more than 320 billion dirhams in cash dividends since 2020, achieving a compound annual growth rate of over 33%. This underscores the enduring strength of Abu Dhabi's corporates and the ADX's role in enabling investors to participate in the UAE's economic growth through stable income and long-term capital appreciation.
To commemorate its Silver Jubilee, the ADX intends to launch the FTSE ADX Dividend Stars Index, highlighting companies with strong and sustainable dividend profiles. The ADX has continually strengthened investor participation and supported long-term wealth creation.
Leveraging the presence of the world's top 25 global asset management funds, the ADX offers diverse investment opportunities, including equities, debt instruments, ETFs, derivatives, and diversified yield-generating instruments.
Since 2020, UAE nationals have traded more than 2.5 trillion dirhams, while foreign investors have exceeded 1.2 trillion dirhams. With the ADX's inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in 2014, foreign net investment exceeded 134 billion dirhams. Institutional investors contributed more than 3 trillion dirhams in trading activity over the same period, with a CAGR of over 35% and net inflows surpassing 40 billion dirhams.
The ADX continues to strengthen regional integration through cross-border initiatives that expand access and deepen connectivity. The exchange's Tabadul platform - linking six regional markets - has enhanced cooperation, opened new channels for issuers and investors, and reinforced Abu Dhabi's role as a hub for modern, interconnected capital flows.
Innovation remains central to the ADX's strategy, introducing multiple regional firsts, including exchange-traded funds and blockchain-enabled technologies. As the ADX enters its next 25 years, the exchange remains committed to deepening liquidity, enhancing digital infrastructure, and expanding investment opportunities.
Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, the Chairman of the ADX Group, highlighted the exchange's role in supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of a diversified, sustainable, and knowledge-based economy. ADX's CEO, Abdullah Salem Al Nuaimi, emphasized the exchange's strategic focus on strengthening foundations and creating value for stakeholders.