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Dubai has emerged as a leading global hub for private equity due to its strategic location bridging Asia, Europe, and Africa, its stable regulatory environment, and its pro-business policies. The city offers access to deep pools of regional capital, a growing base of institutional investors, and strong connectivity to high-growth markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Combined with world-class infrastructure, a favorable tax regime, and an increasingly sophisticated financial ecosystem, Dubai provides an ideal platform for private equity firms to source deals, manage portfolios, and attract international partners.
This guide reflects the current AUM ranking in Dakota Marketplace, with each firm verified against public sources.
1. SHUAA Capital
Overview: SHUAA Capital is a Dubai-based investment firm with decades of experience in asset management and investment banking across the Middle East, managing approximately $14 billion in assets. It has played a central role in the region's financial markets, pioneering new products and platforms while building a diversified client base of institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm operates with a mandate to deliver innovative financial solutions and create sustainable value across public and private markets.
Focus: The firm focuses on public and private market investments, real estate development, and fixed income strategies, while also providing capital markets services such as advisory, underwriting, and securities trading.
2. Ninety Nine Holding
Overview: Ninety Nine Holding is a global investment company headquartered in the UAE managing approximately $5 billion in assets, positioning itself as a long-term partner for businesses in high-growth sectors. It emphasizes foresight and disciplined analysis to back innovative companies, with a philosophy centered on building lasting value for both investors and portfolio companies. The firm seeks to be a bridge between capital and opportunity by aligning with transformative industries and entrepreneurs.
Focus: The firm concentrates on private equity, venture capital, and direct investments in businesses with strong growth potential, while also engaging in wealth management and advisory services.
3. Monterock International
Overview: Monterock International is a multinational investment holding company with more than two decades of experience investing across global markets and sectors, managing approximately $3 billion in assets. Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, the firm positions itself as an innovative and reliable investment partner focused on creating long-term value. Monterock combines financial expertise with entrepreneurial vision, supporting businesses through capital, strategic guidance, and operational insight.
Focus: Monterock focuses on investments in hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, and sustainable technologies. The firm applies a private-equity-style investment philosophy, emphasizing value creation, operational excellence, and brand development, alongside strategic consulting and advisory initiatives.
4. SNB Capital (DIFC) Limited
Overview: SNB Capital is the investment banking, asset management, and wealth arm of Saudi National Bank, rooted in Shariah-compliant finance and regional markets, managing approximately $2 billion in assets through its DIFC entity. It emerged formally from the merger of Samba and NCB, positioning itself as one of Saudi Arabia's largest asset managers. In Dakota Marketplace, this entity is classified as a Private Equity Fund of Funds rather than a direct private equity manager.
Focus: The firm focuses on asset management across public equity, fixed income, alternative funds, and private investments; wealth management and private banking; and full investment banking services including capital raising, M&A, and advisory.
5. NBK Capital Partners
Overview: NBK Capital Partners is the alternative investments arm of Watani Investment Company (NBK Capital), headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, with its parent based in Kuwait and additional offices in Bahrain and Istanbul, managing approximately $1.1 billion in assets. The firm advises funds across private equity, private credit, and a newer real estate platform, targeting MENA-region companies with strong growth potential. Since launching its first fund in 2007, NBK Capital Partners has sourced and executed 29 investments with 17 successful exits to date. In May 2024, the firm was acquired by Janus Henderson Investors.
Focus: Private equity, private credit, and real estate investments in growth-stage MENA companies, with a regional track record in buyout and mezzanine debt transactions.
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6. Raibal Holding
Overview: Raibal Holding is a multi-family office and private holding company based in Fujairah, UAE, established around 2020, managing approximately $1 billion in assets. It invests across multiple sectors, such as agriculture, real estate, food & beverage, and trading, managing diversified assets for its clients and owners.
Focus: The firm centers on making direct investments and holding stakes across a portfolio of real assets and operating businesses across sectors with regional exposure, acting as a long-term capital partner.
7. Allied Investment Partners (AIP)
Overview: Allied Investment Partners is a UAE-based investment firm founded in 2007 and regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority, managing approximately $1 billion in assets. The firm offers a broad suite of financial services including asset management, wealth management, corporate finance, investment banking, and research, aiming to serve institutions, family offices, and high-net-worth clients.
Focus: AIP emphasizes diversified investments across both public and private markets, structured products, alternative investments, and advisory mandates such as M&A, capital raising, and valuation services.
8. Amanat Holdings
Overview: Amanat is a publicly listed investment company managing approximately $760 million in assets that positions itself as the region's gateway to sustainable investing. It is focused on acquiring, scaling, and operating companies in the healthcare and education sectors across the MENA region, leveraging a hands-on approach to build platforms and drive value.
Focus: The firm targets healthcare and education investments, pursuing platform builds, add-on acquisitions, and operational enhancements to unlock long-term growth, while emphasizing ESG alignment and stakeholder value.
9. TIW Capital Group
Overview: TIW Capital Group is a Dubai-headquartered multi-asset investment firm managing approximately $750 million in assets, with additional offices in Singapore, Bahrain, and India, serving investors across nearly 30 countries. Its private equity arm, TIW Private Equity, takes an operating-consultant approach, focusing on SME-focused, sector-agnostic buyouts with an emphasis on turnaround investments in fragmented, low-capital-intensity businesses.
Focus: Multi-geography buyout private equity targeting underperforming or fragmented SME businesses, alongside fixed-income, quant investment, and single-family office services.
10. Fajr Capital
Overview: Fajr Capital is a sovereign-backed private equity firm headquartered in Dubai, managing approximately $700 million in assets, with operations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Its shareholders include Abu Dhabi's investment arms and other sovereign funds, and it invests across a broad geography in sectors such as healthcare, consumer, and infrastructure.
Focus: The firm focuses on growth equity, buyouts, and impact-oriented private equity investments in the GCC and Southeast Asia, working closely with management to scale operations and capture exit value.
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