In line with the visionary approach of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Member of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, and Chairman of ADQ Holding, affirmed that ADQ is dedicated to strengthening the foundations of economic resilience, sustainable development, and supporting digital transformation and economic diversification efforts in the UAE through quality investments and strategic partnerships in global markets.
While presiding over a meeting of the ADQ Board of Directors, which is a sovereign wealth fund focused on investing in essential infrastructure and global supply chains, Sheikh Tahnoon stated, “We will continue to concentrate on investments that are key enablers for achieving national growth and prosperity across various sectors in the long term.”
The board reviewed ADQ’s financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, which continues to show strong growth, and took stock of the company’s significant activities during that period, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Aramex through a voluntary buyout. Upon successful completion, Aramex will become a vital component of ADQ’s transportation and logistics sector, enhancing supply chain integration and bolstering current investments in this area.
The board also examined the strategic importance of a $25 billion investment partnership with Energy Capital Partners, the largest private firm in the U.S. renewable energy sector, aimed at developing energy generation projects and infrastructure in the U.S. to meet the increasing demand for energy from data centers due to the rise of artificial intelligence technologies, thereby supporting the expansion of the American energy infrastructure.
Among other achievements presented at the meeting was the launch of Gridora in April 2025, a joint venture between ADQ, International Holding Company, and Modon Holding, aimed at advancing infrastructure projects and enhancing public-private partnerships.
Gridora will operate under the umbrella of Modon Holding with the goal of fostering collaboration with partners and financial institutions to develop major infrastructure projects that have a tangible economic impact. In April 2025, ADQ also announced, together with International Holding Company and First Abu Dhabi Bank, the establishment of a stablecoin backed by the UAE dirham, fully regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. This currency is expected to facilitate both local and international business transactions, positioning the UAE as a leading global hub for financial technology and strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure.
In May, ADQ announced the issuance of a dual-tranche bond worth $2 billion in the international capital markets for the third time, as part of its efforts to diversify funding sources and enhance financial resilience. These bonds are expected to support the capital growth of ADQ and finance its investment projects to enable long-term growth ambitions. The issuance received substantial interest from investment firms in the U.S., Middle East, UK, Europe, and Asia, with subscriptions exceeding 3.5 times, reflecting global investor confidence in ADQ’s credit strength and the value it provides over the long term.
The board also reviewed ADQ’s contributions to the National AI Strategy 2031 and Abu Dhabi’s agenda in this area, alongside various related initiatives, including the launch of the Sprint.AI program aimed at fostering innovation, digital transformation, and the adoption of artificial intelligence. This program, which will run over the next five years, is built on three main pillars: supporting efforts to develop advanced data infrastructure, governance, and analytical capabilities; promoting AI research and its commercial deployment in key sectors; and developing innovative solutions while supporting pilot projects.
The program seeks to enhance the readiness of ADQ’s subsidiaries for the future, improving their agility by strategically allocating resources, allowing these companies to leverage advanced technologies and practices in their operations. The initial companies using the program include Selaa, Abu Dhabi Ports Group, and Agthia Group.
The board also discussed key achievements within ADQ’s portfolio of companies. In the energy and utilities sector, TAQA and Emirates Water and Electricity Company agreed to develop a new energy infrastructure, aligning with the National AI Strategy 2031 and the UAE’s climate neutrality strategy for 2050, signing a 24-year power purchase agreement for the development of a 1 gigawatt open-cycle gas turbine project in the Al Dhafra region.
In the food and agriculture sector, Selaa formed a strategic partnership with Shouguang Group of China to establish a 100,000 square meter agricultural technology center in Al Ain, utilizing AI and robotics to enhance efficiency and promote sustainable innovation in the agricultural sector.
In sustainable manufacturing, Emirates Steel, the largest steel producer in the UAE, partnered with Medisyn Energy, a specialty firm in the management of saline solutions, to launch a pioneering initiative in the UAE that converts desalination materials into renewable blue energy and magnesium carbonate, aligning with the UAE’s goals to enhance innovation, reduce emissions, and improve resource efficiency.
During the board meeting, members utilized the latest version of an AI-powered advisor, which integrates various AI technologies with ADQ’s extensive knowledge base, offering valuable insights and suggestions during discussions and assisting with decision-making processes.
The board reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to strengthening ADQ’s role in supporting the economic diversification journey of Abu Dhabi and enhancing its global competitiveness.
Present at the meeting were His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Hamedan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Excellency Jassim Muhammad Buataba Al Zaabi, His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi, His Excellency Mohammed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, and Kaj-Erik Relander.
His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Managing Director and Group CEO at ADQ, stated, “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we continue to make significant and sustainable contributions to enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s economy through impactful investments focusing on developing infrastructure and supply chains. The performance indicators for the first quarter of the year reflect our alignment with the investment, developmental, and economic goals of Abu Dhabi, highlighting the effectiveness of our strategic plans to create a lasting positive impact on the national economy.”