Abu Dhabi-based powerhouse Alpha Dhabi Holding is gearing up for an ambitious growth spree, planning to deploy 30 billion dirhams ($8 billion) over the next five years. Recent exits, including the sale of Modon for AED 5.3 billion, have fueled the conglomerate’s war chest for both international expansion and strategic capital moves.
The group’s strategy is dual-pronged: nurture its portfolio companies with strong governance while recycling capital through IPOs and reinvestments into high-growth sectors. Operating in 45 countries, Alpha Dhabi contributes around 13% of its revenue from overseas markets, but the focus is not on geographical footprints alone.
“We’re not just planting flags. We look for acquisitions that offer scale, synergies, and solid returns,” said the Chief Strategy Officer. “Our vision is global—Asia, Europe, East or West—wherever the strategic fit makes sense.”
On the financing front, Alpha Dhabi favors conservative leverage. As interest rates peak and show signs of easing, portfolio companies are encouraged to take on debt—but always within industry-appropriate benchmarks tied to cash flow and business plans. The conglomerate is also eyeing Abu Dhabi’s debt markets for diversified funding, including potential bond issuances.
When it comes to IPOs, timing remains market-driven. Any of Alpha Dhabi’s private entities could go public under the right conditions, with Trojan General Contracting—the firm behind Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport—under preliminary review. The group aims to enhance the value of such companies before stepping into the public markets.
Concerns over recent lackluster UAE IPO performances, the firm says, don’t alter fundamentals. “Capital markets remain robust, and the pipeline of companies considering IPOs is larger than ever,” the executive noted.
Beyond public listings, Alpha Dhabi has the flexibility to monetize stakes through accelerated bookbuilds or strategic sales, allowing it to take a long-term approach without the pressure of fixed timelines.
