Manila, Philippines – The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has entered into a multi-year partnership with Gushcloud International, a global creator management and licensing company powered by AI, which has an office in the Philippines.
Under the agreement, Gushcloud will establish its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) headquarters and Global Creator Hub in Abu Dhabi. The facility will serve as a gateway for eligible Southeast Asian and international creators to access the MENA market.
The company said the move will allow it to scale operations, foster innovation, and support talent development, while also strengthening its presence in the region’s growing creator economy.
Industry estimates put the value of the global creator economy at USD 224.2 billion in 2025, with projections that it could exceed USD 2.71 trillion by 2037. In the United Arab Emirates, the number of social media users is expected to rise from 2024 to 2029 by 1.1 million, reaching 11.54 million by the end of that period.
ADIO Director General His Excellency Badr Al-Olama said, “We are pleased to have Gushcloud expand its presence in Abu Dhabi. This advances our shared ambition to grow a world-class creator economy in our nation. The appointment of senior leadership in the emirate reflects real momentum and underlines Abu Dhabi’s role as a magnet for talent, innovation, and global opportunity in the digital media space.”
Andrew Lim, group CFO of Gushcloud International, said: “Abu Dhabi offers a thriving ecosystem for digital content creators. This strategic expansion led by this partnership will allow us to offer more services to our clients (being creators and brands) in the MENA region. The city’s strategic location and business-friendly environment make it an ideal hub for our operations in MENA and India. We look forward to deepening our connections with the local community and contributing to its vibrant digital media ecosystem.”
Gushcloud plans to work with regional partners on initiatives that include:
- Nurturing local talent in Abu Dhabi and forming partnerships with local governments and universities to offer career opportunities and internships for Emiratis in the creator economy.
- Investing in top MENA creators to expand their reach globally through the company’s Creator Venture Program.
- Supporting qualified global creators in establishing sustainable businesses and securing funding in the UAE.
- Providing solutions for brands and agencies to extend their market reach in MENA and India via influencers and content creators.
- Developing new experiences such as offline and online events and masterclasses to highlight the impact of local and global creators.
Gay Carr, who serves as Gushcloud’s group chief of staff and chief people officer for MENA, said: “We are honoured to be partners with ADIO, the local government, and universities in Abu Dhabi. At Gushcloud, we are committed to aligning our goals with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 – that of economic diversification, sustainable development, and human capital development. Hence, we will be deeply investing in building up the Creator Economy and be part of the larger ongoing ecosystem.”
The Abu Dhabi hub will also anchor collaborations between regional creators, global brands, and investors, with a focus on capital deployment, content licensing, and direct-to-consumer monetisation.
