TheAbu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group (ADX) has announced its collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Global Entrepreneurship Festival (ADGEF) as its “Capital Markets Partner” to advocate financial literacy, investment proficiency, and investment knowledge for the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADGEF brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and policymakers in a landmark initiative to accelerate a knowledge-based economy and support sustainable growth.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group, said: “The UAE is rich in talent and bold ideas, and Abu Dhabi is centered as the global hub for entrepreneurship and capital formation. As one of the key financial pillars, the ADX has a well-established framework that supports both investors and entrepreneurs. By connecting investors and entrepreneurs to the capital market, we empower business leaders and individuals to generate wealth and companies to transform their growth ambition into publicly traded global companies that will support Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision.
We hope that through sharing financial insights and knowledge, we cultivate a generation that not only understands market fundamentals, but also advocates long-term value creation, responsible investing, and for them to compete on a global stage.”
Accelerating financial awareness and access
As one of the world’s top 20 exchanges and the second-largest securities exchange in the region by market capitalization, the ADX has more than 120 active listed securities and a trading platform serving 1.2 million investors from over 200 nationalities. At the festival, the ADX and its brokerage partners, including International Securities, Al Ramz, and Thndr, will share additional market and investment insights with event participants.
The Abu Dhabi IPO journey
The ADX team will also guide small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-growth companies in understanding initial public offerings (IPOs) and the listing journey, highlighting the Main Market and Growth Market as key pathways for scaling businesses into globally competitive enterprises. The exchange provides end-to-end support — from pre-listing advisory to post-listing investor relations — enabling strong governance and sustainable value creation.
The ADX continues to serve as a resilient platform for capital formation, with listed companies delivering consistent returns to shareholders. Between 2023 and 2025, ADX-listed companies distributed nearly AED 205 billion in dividends, reflecting strong market fundamentals and sustained growth strategies.
Purpose of the festival
With over 20,000 expected attendees and more than 100 global speakers, ADGEF provides a strategic platform for the ADX to expand its investor base and strengthen financially literate communities. During the festival, the ADX will also facilitate engagement with broker partners, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of market dynamics, risk management, and disciplined investing.
Aligned with the UAE’s ambition to host over two million companies and nurture multiple unicorns by 2031, the ADX remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs and investors as key drivers of national economic growth. The festival is supported by strategic partners including the ADNOC Group, the Abu Dhabi Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an), the Athar+ program, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the Khalifa Fund, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hub71, Abu Dhabi Customs, and more.
