ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, 11 October 2026 Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) will bring together international financial leaders, investors, policymakers and business executives from 7 to 10 December, with discussions expected to cover investment flows, financial technology, digital assets and emerging opportunities across global markets.
The fifth edition of the annual event will take place at The Grand Steps on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi under the theme “The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships.” It is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Organisers describe ADFW as the Middle East and North Africa region’s largest business and investment summit, bringing together participants from more than 175 countries to discuss developments influencing international finance and economic growth.
The programme is designed to connect financial institutions, investors, regulators, entrepreneurs and business leaders, with a focus on how partnerships and capital networks can support investment and create new opportunities.
According to the event organisers, ADFW 2025 attracted more than 35,000 participants and featured over 800 speakers across more than 390 sessions. The previous edition also recorded more than 80 memoranda of understanding, while assets worth over US$62 trillion were represented at the event.
The 2026 programme will feature discussions spanning investment management, financial technology, sustainable finance, real estate, private markets and dispute resolution.
Among the scheduled events are Asset Abu Dhabi on 8 December, Fintech Abu Dhabi on 9 December and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum on 10 December. RESOLVE, a forum focused on dispute resolution, is also scheduled for 9 December.
The wider programme includes the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit, which will examine the factors driving property demand and the movement of investment capital, alongside the ALTs Forum, which will bring together perspectives from founders, venture capitalists and investors in private markets.
Blockchain Abu Dhabi will examine developments in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency and decentralised finance, while the Risk4.0 Forum will focus on security threats affecting financial systems and efforts to combat financial crime in the digital economy.
Islamic finance and women’s participation in the financial sector will also feature through the Islamic Finance Summit and Women in Finance programme.
The published speaker line-up includes senior figures from international financial institutions, investment firms, technology companies and public institutions. They include Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade; and Dr Sultan Saif AlNeyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs.
Other listed speakers include Allianz SE chief executive Oliver Bäte, Standard Chartered Group chief executive Bill Winters, Franklin Templeton chief executive Jenny Johnson, Temasek Holdings chief executive Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and Carlyle co-founder David Rubenstein.
The programme also features representatives from Binance, Bloomberg, State Street, PwC, Revolut, Mubadala and other international financial and investment organisations.
For African economies, discussions on investment, financial technology, sustainable finance and private capital are particularly relevant as governments and businesses seek to attract international funding, strengthen financial systems and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Developments in digital finance and financial regulation could also offer useful insights for African policymakers and financial institutions working to improve access to financial services, manage emerging risks and support the growth of digital economies.
The organisers have announced several ticket categories. A single day ticket costs US$500, while a full week pass covering all four days is priced at US$1,000. An executive pass, which includes access to all flagship forums and selected premium networking events, costs US$10,000. A separate RESOLVE pass is also available for US$500.
The invitation issued by the organisers offers recipients the opportunity to claim a complimentary single day ticket, subject to the terms of the offer. This ticket provides access to a selected flagship forum and its associated events between 8 and 10 December.
Further information about the programme, speakers and registration is available through the official Abu Dhabi Finance Week website at https://www.adfw.com/.
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