The United Arab Emirates has become one of the leading jurisdictions for investment funds structuring across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Much of this growth has been driven by the development of two internationally recognised financial centres, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), both of which provide dedicated regulatory frameworks for licensed fund managers, asset managers and investment platforms.
For investors considering a UAE fund structure, the choice between these jurisdictions is rarely just a regulatory decision. Investor profile, fund strategy, licensing requirements and distribution plans all influence how a structure should be designed from the outset.