Abu Dhabi’s financial and technology sectors are driving one of the tightest commercial real estate markets in the region.
Prime office rents rose 28.8 per cent year-on-year in Q3 2026 to AED 3,400 per sqm per annum, while overall office occupancy across the emirate reached 96.4 per cent, according to CBRE’s Abu Dhabi Finance Sector Report 2026. Within ADGM, asking rents are now frequently exceeding AED 6,000 per sqm per annum for the limited space available.
“Abu Dhabi has entered a new phase of growth, where its appeal extends beyond regional competitiveness to genuine global relevance. The combination of a rapidly expanding financial ecosystem, substantial investment in AI and digital infrastructure, and a business environment that continues to attract leading international institutions is reinforcing the emirate’s position among the world’s most important emerging financial centers. This momentum is translating directly into demand for commercial real estate, particularly within ADGM, where occupier requirements continue to outpace supply,” Matthew Green, Head of Research, MENA at CBRE said in a statement.
The financial services sector recorded growth of 14.8 per cent in 2026, with Abu Dhabi Global Market at the centre of the expansion. ADGM reported a 54 per cent year-on-year increase in assets under management during H1 2026.
Active licenses on the platform reached 13,974, and the combined workforce across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands surpassed 49,000 professionals.
Abu Dhabi’s technology ambitions are adding a second growth engine. The report points to sovereign-backed initiatives and major digital infrastructure projects driving investment across AI infrastructure, cloud computing and data centres. The UAE currently leads the world in generative AI adoption, with 73.3 per cent of its working-age population using generative AI tools, the report states.
The emirate’s international standing has tracked its economic momentum. Abu Dhabi climbed to 13th place in the Global Financial Centers Index and ranks among the world’s top five cities in the IMD Smart Cities Index.
