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Sheikh Tahnoon Al Nahyan: The Rise of a Gulf Dealmaker and His Global Empire


Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a prominent member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, has emerged as a leading global dealmaker. His influence extends to the largest sovereign wealth fund in the United Arab Emirates, expanding his assets oversight to an impressive $1.5 trillion. Sheikh Tahnoon has played a pivotal role in numerous high-value deals across various sectors, including technology and finance. His impressive portfolio includes heading two wealth funds, the region's premier private investment firm, the country's largest lender, and its largest publicly listed corporation. This makes him the de facto business leader of the affluent Al Nahyan family, with access to substantial reserves in the oil-rich Persian Gulf.

While Sheikh Tahnoon's entities have faced complexities when engaging in cross-border deals due to intricate M&A regulations abroad, they have shown a distinct interest in emerging markets. His tech fund is actively establishing teams in Asian cities to identify investment opportunities, and his private investment firm has placed a strategic focus on India as a potential growth driver. Furthermore, one of his key entities, G42, is exploring the expansion of its human genome project to countries in Africa and Asia.

Having assumed control of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the world's largest wealth funds, Sheikh Tahnoon has played a pivotal role in orchestrating significant deals through his discreet Royal Group. However, his endeavors have encountered challenges, such as regulatory delays affecting the First Abu Dhabi Bank's bid for an Egyptian investment bank and obstacles in a potential deal with Standard Chartered. Nonetheless, Sheikh Tahnoon remains a central figure in attracting billionaires to Abu Dhabi, forging partnerships with influential figures like Dalio, and expanding the UAE's financial footprint on the global stage.

READ MORE: Gulf’s Dealmaker Gains Control Of $1.5 Trillion Fund

Sheikh Tahnoon's remarkable empire, led by his company IHC, has grown from a modest fish farming firm to a staggering worth of $240 billion. This valuation surpasses even financial giants like Goldman Sachs and Blackstone. Despite its immense success, IHC remains relatively unexplored by international investors and analysts. The company's focus on transparency and strategic collaborations underpins its strategy for unlocking new opportunities and maximizing its assets in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

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