Nahda Capital Partners Seeks Registration for First Private Equity Fund in ADGM

Nahda Capital Partners Seeks Registration for Its First Private Equity Fund at ADGM

Nahda Capital Partners has recently taken significant steps to establish itself in the private equity landscape by applying for the registration of its inaugural fund within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Founded with a vision to foster sustainable partnerships, Nahda Capital aims to make a meaningful contribution to the real economy of the GCC region. The term 'Nahda' is Arabic for renaissance and renewal, reflecting the company's commitment to innovation and growth.

The firm, led by Iñigo de Luna, who serves as the founding partner and managing partner, focuses its investment strategy primarily on the mid-market sector across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader GCC region. Nahda Capital Partners targets family-owned businesses and founder-led enterprises that are positioned for structural growth and increasing institutionalization. This is particularly relevant for companies undergoing generational transitions or those seeking institutional capital and operational support to accelerate their next growth phase in the GCC.

Nahda's founding partners bring substantial international experience in private equity and investment banking, boasting a history of achieving impressive gross internal rates of return of approximately 36% across various economic cycles. The firm prioritizes a majority investment approach, collaborating closely with founders and family shareholders. Their strategy centers on operational value creation, emphasizing professionalization, operational enhancements, governance improvements, and selective expansion through acquisitions and development.

The focus sectors for Nahda include food production and distribution, healthcare, education, and industrial technology. Their investment approach adheres to Sharia-compliant principles, concentrating on real economy assets, employing prudent leverage, and ensuring disciplined governance practices.

Iñigo de Luna expressed, "Nahda Capital Partners was established to partner with premium mid-market firms in the GCC that can benefit from long-term capital and practical operational support. While we are currently navigating challenging times, we believe this is a temporary shock rather than a fundamental change in the long-term trajectory of the UAE and the region. Our conviction remains that the GCC will structurally emerge as a hub for business creation and long-term capital allocation."

Pending regulatory approval, Nahda anticipates starting its fundraising efforts in the coming weeks, with a target of approximately $300 million for its inaugural fund, which will be managed from within the ADGM.

About Nahda Capital Partners

Nahda Capital Partners is a private equity platform based in Abu Dhabi, operating from ADGM. It focuses on control investments in mid-market companies across the GCC, partnering with founders and family shareholders to aid in generational transitions, professionalization, and regional expansion through practical value creation. The firm targets resilient sectors of the real economy, including food production and distribution, healthcare, education, and industrial technologies, emphasizing disciplined governance and Sharia-compliant investment principles. Nahda is preparing to launch its first fund, pending regulatory approval, to deploy from the ADGM.