As part of its participation in Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has signed agreements with Mastercard and PGIM to enhance financial and technological innovation and drive economic growth in the emirate.
The partnership agreement with Mastercard was signed by Fatima Al Hammadi, Head of Business Development, Financial Services at ADIO, and Gina Petersen, Cluster General Manager at Mastercard.
The strategic partnership with PGIM, global asset management business of Prudential Financial Inc, was entered into by His Excellency Badr Al Olama, Director General of ADIO, and Raimondo Amabile, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Global Chief Investment Officer at PGIM Real Estate.
Under the ADIO and Mastercard agreement, the two parties will launch the Digital Partnership Programme to introduce advanced financial technologies to digitise government payment systems, support SME growth and empower fintech companies through Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. Mastercard’s Advanced AI Centre of Excellence will also collaborate with ADIO to develop innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain products, empowering the emirate’s gaming industry and other high-growth sectors.
The agreement will also facilitate collaboration to identify business opportunities within Mastercard’s portfolio that can serve regional and global markets, co-developing financial solutions. These efforts will leverage Abu Dhabi’s advanced financial infrastructure and supportive business ecosystem to drive impactful, sustainable economic outcomes. In addition, the agreement will also support payment digitalisation with key Abu Dhabi stakeholders to offer tailored financial products and tools.
On ADIO’s agreement with Mastercard, His Excellency Badr Al Olama said: “Fostering a digitally connected economy is an essential pillar of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation. Through our collaboration with Mastercard, we will leverage Abu Dhabi’s status as a leader in innovative digital services to further empower SMEs, attract global talent and elevate the emirate’s thriving tourism sector. This initiative marks a pivotal step in the emirate’s digital transformation, advancing our vision of a future where businesses and communities thrive, and our economy sets new standards for sustainable growth.”
Dr Dimitrios Dosis, President of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mastercard, said: “At Mastercard, we serve as a trusted partner, technology provider and policy advisor to governments. We are proud to collaborate with ADIO in shaping Abu Dhabi’s future as a global hub for innovation and economic growth. This partnership underscores our commitment to deploying transformative technologies and boosting financial inclusion to create real impact. By harnessing our global expertise in payments, AI and fintech, we aim to unlock new opportunities for businesses, empower communities and drive sustainable progress.”
The latest partnership between ADIO and PGIM aims to launch a RealAssetX innovation centre in Abu Dhabi, featuring a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) laboratory, established in collaboration with leading local universities, research centres and Hub71. The Abu Dhabi laboratory is intended to serve as a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation, leveraging RealAssetX’s existing partnerships with globally renowned institutions.
Through RealAssetX Abu Dhabi, ADIO will facilitate PGIM’s collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s leading private and public entities, including universities, incubators and venture capital networks to advance research and investment into areas of sustainability, AI and Deep Tech in the real asset industry. The agreement could also lead to the establishment and management of an investment framework of up to US$250 million.
His Excellency Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, commenting on the PGIM agreement, said: “Our partnership with PGIM is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy. RealAssetX Abu Dhabi will bridge local ingenuity with global expertise, empowering local talent while ensuring that Abu Dhabi remains at the forefront of global financial innovation.”
Raimondo Amabile, Co-Chief Executive Officer and global CIO at PGIM Real Estate, said: “Partnering with ADIO will deliver innovative solutions in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Through partnering with the region’s leading universities and technology companies, RealAssetX continues to strengthen its ecosystem and develop new technologies that don’t exist today, and drive transformation in the real asset industry. Establishing RealAssetX Abu Dhabi, aims to bring global insights to the region, foster local talent and create an ecosystem that enables innovation to thrive in Abu Dhabi.”
