Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed appointed chairman of L’IMAD, Abu Dhabi’s fourth investment pillar
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Abu Dhabi has formally strengthened its sovereign investment ecosystem with the announcement of the board of directors for L’IMAD Holding Company, appointing Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as chairman.
The decision was announced on January 12, 2026, by the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, marking a key milestone in Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic diversification strategy.
L’IMAD: Abu Dhabi’s fourth sovereign investment platform
L’IMAD Holding has been established as the emirate’s fourth major government-backed investment pillar, joining
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Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)
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Mubadala Investment Company
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ADQ (Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company)
The new entity is designed to complement these institutions by targeting strategic assets that support sustainable growth, revenue diversification, and long-term value creation.
Investment mandate and priority sectors
L’IMAD has been tasked with developing and managing a diversified portfolio of assets and projects across the UAE and international markets. Its core focus areas include:
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Infrastructure
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Real estate
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Financial services and asset management
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Advanced industries and emerging technologies
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Urban mobility and smart cities
The platform is positioned to play a catalytic role in shaping future-ready sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision.
Early strategic investments
Despite being newly formed, L’IMAD has already made notable moves in the market. These include:
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Acquiring a controlling stake in Modon Holding, a major real estate developer
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Participating in a high-profile consortium bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, signalling its global investment ambitions
Leadership and governance
Alongside Sheikh Khaled’s appointment as chairman, Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi has been named Managing Director and CEO. The board also includes senior Abu Dhabi officials, underscoring the fund’s strategic importance to the emirate’s economic framework.
With L’IMAD, Abu Dhabi is reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most sophisticated sovereign investors, expanding beyond traditional asset management into next-generation infrastructure, technology, and urban development.
