Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds are continuing to deploy capital globally, even as geopolitical tensions weigh on regional markets.

ADIA and Mubadala have pledged around USD 2 billion (GBP 1.5B) toward EQT’s acquisition of Intertek, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing role in financing some of the world’s largest private equity deals.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala Investment Company have committed a combined USD 1.9 billion (GBP 1.9B ) to support Swedish private equity firm EQT’s acquisition of UK-based testing and inspection company Intertek Group Plc.

The investment forms part of EQT’s USD 12.3 billion (GBP 9.3B) takeover of Intertek, one of the largest UK-listed companies to be acquired this year. The deal will also result in another major business leaving the London Stock Exchange.

Why You Should Care

For investors and business leaders across the Middle East, the transaction highlights how Gulf sovereign wealth funds are increasingly shaping global mergers and acquisitions. Rather than acting solely as passive investors, funds such as ADIA and Mubadala are becoming critical financing partners in some of the world’s largest private equity transactions.

The deal also signals that Abu Dhabi remains committed to deploying capital internationally despite ongoing regional instability and uncertainty across global markets.

The Details

According to regulatory filings released on Thursday, ADIA committed USD 1.3 billion ( GBP 1B) to the transaction, while Mubadala contributed USD 664 million (GBO 500M).

Intertek operates testing, inspection, and certification services across industries ranging from consumer products and healthcare to energy and infrastructure. The company plays a key role in helping businesses meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards worldwide.

The investment comes shortly after executives from Mubadala’s private equity division highlighted the fund’s growing influence in global dealmaking. Mubadala, which manages approximately USD 385 billion in assets, was among the most active sovereign investors backing private equity transactions last year.

ADIA has also maintained a strong pace of global investment activity. The sovereign fund, which oversees more than USD 1 trillion in assets, recently participated in CVC Capital Partners’ takeover of Italian pharmaceutical company Recordati, a deal valuing the business at roughly USD 12.3 billion (EUR 10.7B).

Together, the transactions illustrate how Abu Dhabi’s largest investment institutions are expanding their presence across sectors including healthcare, technology, private credit, and alternative asset management.

The Ripple

The Intertek acquisition reflects a broader shift in global private equity financing. As fundraising becomes more challenging for buyout firms, sovereign wealth funds are increasingly filling the gap by providing large-scale capital commitments.

For Abu Dhabi, these partnerships offer access to high-profile international assets while strengthening relationships with some of the world’s largest investment firms. For private equity managers, Gulf capital has become an increasingly important source of funding for large acquisitions.

The trend is also reinforcing the Gulf’s growing influence over global capital markets, with regional investors playing a larger role in transactions that were once dominated by North American and European institutions.

What to Watch

The Intertek deal is unlikely to be the last major acquisition backed by Abu Dhabi this year. Both ADIA and Mubadala have signaled continued interest in private equity opportunities, particularly where market volatility creates attractive entry points.

As global buyout firms seek larger pools of long-term capital, Gulf sovereign wealth funds appear positioned to become even more influential partners in shaping the next wave of international dealmaking.