Abu Dhabi, UAE: The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority (RA) has published its Regulatory Priorities for 2026–2027, giving businesses, directors, auditors, Company Service Providers (CSPs) and other stakeholders a clear view of the areas that will receive greater regulatory attention over the year ahead.
Published on 1 October 2026, the priorities cover annual filings and licence renewals, audit quality, corporate reporting, beneficial ownership, AML/CFT, targeted financial sanctions, consumer protection, emerging technologies, CSP standards, unlicensed activities and enforcement. The RA has also set performance indicators to track progress across these areas.
Annual Filings and Corporate Reporting Under Focus
One of the main priorities is the timeliness and quality of annual filings and licence renewals. The RA is also focusing on audit quality, auditor conduct and corporate reporting.
For ADGM businesses, this means compliance should not be treated as a routine filing exercise. Companies should make sure their corporate information, financial reporting and required submissions are complete and up to date.
Maintaining accurate bookkeeping is also important because financial records support reporting, audit work and other compliance requirements.
Beneficial Ownership Remains a Key Priority
The RA has identified beneficial ownership transparency as a major area of regulatory focus. Businesses are expected to maintain beneficial ownership information that is adequate, accurate and up to date.
ADGM has also reminded licensed persons that relevant changes in beneficial ownership must be reported to the Registrar within 15 days of becoming aware of the change. This includes relevant changes involving ownership, control and nominee directors.
Businesses should therefore review their ownership records whenever shareholders, directors or control structures change.
For companies reviewing ownership structures, transactions or business relationships, due diligence services can help identify gaps in corporate and ownership information.
Stronger Attention on CSPs and AML/CFT
The 2026–2027 priorities also place specific attention on Company Service Providers (CSPs) and on AML/CFT and targeted financial sanctions compliance among relevant Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs).
Businesses that use corporate service providers should review their corporate records, ownership information and compliance arrangements to ensure they remain properly maintained.
This is particularly important where businesses rely on third parties for corporate administration or related services.
Emerging Technology and Enforcement
The RA is also focusing on emerging technologies through a risk-based supervisory approach. At the same time, it will continue to address unlicensed activities and misleading representations about ADGM licensing status.
Businesses should therefore ensure that their activities remain within their approved commercial scope and that any statements about their ADGM status are accurate.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
ADGM businesses should review their annual filing and licence renewal schedules, corporate records, beneficial ownership information and AML/CFT arrangements.
Companies should also review their financial records and consider auditing and assurance where an independent review of financial information is appropriate.
Businesses with tax obligations alongside their ADGM activities should review their tax and compliance position and seek business tax advisory where required.
Why This Matters
The RA’s latest priorities do not create one new rule that applies in the same way to every ADGM business. Instead, they show the areas where the regulator intends to increase monitoring, supervision and enforcement during 2026–2027.
Ignoring these areas can leave businesses with inaccurate records, missed filings or gaps in regulatory compliance. Reviewing them now gives companies an opportunity to identify and address issues before they receive greater regulatory attention.
Dubai Business and Tax Advisors (DBTA) can support businesses with tax and compliance, bookkeeping, due diligence services, auditing and assurance, and business tax advisory. As ADGM places greater emphasis on transparency, governance and regulatory compliance, professional support can help businesses maintain organized records and stronger compliance processes.
