Global private markets firm EQT has officially expanded into the Gulf with the launch of a dedicated Middle East platform and a new office at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
The move gives EQT a permanent base in the GCC at a time when Abu Dhabi is attracting a growing number of international asset managers, private equity firms and institutional investors. With €266 billion in total assets under management, EQT brings considerable global investment experience to the UAE capital.
The Abu Dhabi office will serve as a regional hub for investment activity, investor relationships and support for EQT portfolio companies looking to grow across the Gulf.
Abu Dhabi Becomes EQT’s Base for Middle East Growth
EQT isn’t treating Abu Dhabi as a small representative office. The new location forms the foundation of a wider Middle East platform that could expand as the firm’s activities across the region grow.
From ADGM, EQT plans to build closer relationships with local investors and businesses while identifying opportunities across individual GCC markets. Having an established team in Abu Dhabi also puts the firm closer to sovereign wealth funds, family offices and other major sources of institutional capital.
ADGM provides another advantage. Its international financial framework gives EQT a regulated base from which it can develop its regional presence while remaining connected to Abu Dhabi’s rapidly expanding investment ecosystem.
Private Capital and Infrastructure Anchor the New Platform
EQT is initially bringing together professionals from Private Capital and Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi. The regional team also includes specialists working across capital raising and business operations.
Rather than operating as an isolated regional unit, the Middle East platform will draw on EQT’s wider global network and investment capabilities. The firm’s Real Estate and Secondaries businesses could also participate as relevant opportunities develop.
That structure gives EQT flexibility. Its Abu Dhabi operation can start with areas where the company already sees demand while adding more investment strategies as the GCC business develops.
GCC Economic Transformation Opens New Investment Opportunities
The decision comes as Gulf economies continue to channel capital into industries that extend well beyond traditional energy businesses. Healthcare, education, technology, industrial development, infrastructure and business services are becoming increasingly important parts of national diversification programmes.
Digital infrastructure is particularly relevant for EQT. The firm already invests globally in data centres, connectivity and other infrastructure supporting digital services and artificial intelligence. Those capabilities could become increasingly useful as Gulf countries spend heavily on AI infrastructure and digital transformation.
EQT is also looking across different investment sizes rather than targeting one narrow segment of the market. Reuters reported that potential investments could range from roughly $15 million to $1 billion, depending on the company and opportunity.
EQT Already Has Portfolio Companies Across the GCC
Opening an Abu Dhabi office doesn’t mean EQT is entering the Gulf from scratch. Several companies within its existing portfolio already operate across the region, giving the investment group practical exposure to GCC markets before establishing its own permanent office.
Those businesses include Nord Anglia Education, Virtusa, Banking Circle, Nothing and SAUR. Some have maintained a presence in the Middle East for years and operate in sectors closely connected to the region’s broader economic diversification.
A local EQT team could make those relationships easier to support. It also gives other portfolio companies considering Gulf expansion a regional point of contact rather than relying entirely on teams based in Europe, Asia or other international markets.
Jimmy Mahtani and Smiyet Belrhiti Take Regional Leadership Roles
EQT has appointed Jimmy Mahtani as Chairman of GCC while he continues serving as Chairman of India and Southeast Asia for EQT Private Capital. The appointment connects the Gulf operation with parts of the firm’s existing Asian investment network.
Smiyet Belrhiti will lead the Abu Dhabi office as Head of Middle East and Senior Executive Officer. Belrhiti brings more than two decades of experience across private equity, corporate development and investment activities in the GCC and wider Middle East and North Africa region.
The leadership structure suggests EQT wants both international connectivity and regional knowledge inside the new platform. Reuters reported that the Abu Dhabi operation opened with a team of around 10 people covering investment, infrastructure, fundraising and operational functions.
Why EQT’s Arrival Matters for ADGM
For ADGM, EQT adds another major international investment firm to an ecosystem that has been growing quickly as global asset managers increase their presence in Abu Dhabi.
The attraction is increasingly straightforward. Abu Dhabi combines large pools of institutional capital with sovereign investors, expanding private markets activity and a regulatory environment designed around international financial businesses.
ADGM Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi said EQT’s decision reflects international investor confidence in Abu Dhabi as a gateway connecting regional and global opportunities.
An investment manager of EQT’s scale also brings more than office space into the financial centre. Its presence can create relationships with local investors, advisers and businesses while potentially directing additional international capital toward companies and infrastructure projects across the UAE and wider GCC.
Abu Dhabi Joins EQT’s Expanding Global Network
The Abu Dhabi opening extends EQT’s international footprint to more than 25 countries. According to the company, the markets where it operates collectively represent more than 80% of global GDP.
The UAE now becomes the firm’s dedicated entry point into the GCC. That could become increasingly important as Middle Eastern markets account for a larger share of global private capital activity.
What happens after the office opening may be more significant than the launch itself. EQT has described Abu Dhabi as the starting point for its Middle East platform, leaving room for additional strategies, investment teams and potentially a broader regional footprint.
For Abu Dhabi, the arrival adds another large global asset manager to ADGM’s expanding financial community. For EQT, it puts investment professionals directly inside one of the world’s increasingly important centres for institutional capital.
Sources
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM):
https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/eqt-launches-middle-east-platform-and-opens-abu-dhabi-office
EQT:
https://eqtgroup.com/news/eqt-launches-middle-east-platform-and-opens-abu-dhabi-office-2026-09-23
Emirates News Agency (WAM):
https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c2e3zlw-eqt-launches-middle-east-platform-opens-abu-dhabi
Reuters via Euronext:
https://live.euronext.com/en/financial-news/private-equity-firm-eqt-launches-middle-east-platform-and-opens-abu-dhabi-office