DWS Secures Regulatory Approval for Abu Dhabi Office, Expanding Regional Presence

DWS has announced the strengthening of its presence in the Middle East with the opening of an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, having secured a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to operate as a Category 4 regulated firm. The milestone sees DWS, with over EUR 1 trillion in total assets under management as of June 30, 2025, establish its first regional presence in the MENA region under ADGM’s progressive regulatory framework.

The expansion marks a significant step forward for DWS to offer comprehensive investment solutions in the Middle East, with end-to-end set-up support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Joe Kiwan will relocate from Paris to Abu Dhabi to serve as the Senior Executive Officer of the DWS ADGM branch while continuing in his current role as Head of Coverage for the Middle East & Africa, focusing on regional strategy, client relationships, and strategic partnerships.

“The Middle East is a strategic growth area for DWS as we look to capitalise on our position as the gateway to Europe, linking clients, markets and opportunities across borders in a region that is future-focused and highly sophisticated,” said Stefan Hoops, CEO at DWS. Abu Dhabi is positioned as a key location in a region that has established itself as a global hub for finance, innovation, and investment.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said: “We congratulate DWS, one of the world’s leading asset managers, on receiving their FSP from the FSRA of ADGM. This milestone reflects both the firm’s ambition and the strength of ADGM’s robust, progressive, and internationally recognised regulatory framework. As a leading international financial centre, ADGM offers asset managers a dynamic ecosystem with access to global investors, innovative structures, and a collaborative community that fosters sustainable growth.”

Khalifa Al Mahmoud, Acting Director – Investor Attraction at ADIO, emphasized the significance: “The establishment of DWS’s first presence in the MENA region in Abu Dhabi underscores the emirate’s enduring role as a predominant centre of capital and connectivity. We are proud to have supported DWS in marking its entry into the region, in line with our commitment to fostering the growth of world-class institutions within Abu Dhabi’s dynamic financial landscape.”

DWS, with approximately 4,800 employees in offices around the world, offers individuals, institutions, and large corporations access to comprehensive investment solutions and bespoke portfolios across the full spectrum of investment disciplines, with expertise in Active, Passive, and Alternative asset management across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes.

Source