UAE’s first SPAC launched on ADX

10x Industry

Mita Srinivasan
10x Industry
Published:

UAE’s first SPAC launched on ADX

The listing of ADC, subject to market conditions and customary approvals, follows a strong performance for ADX in the first quarter of 2022, which was the biggest gainer of the regional stock exchanges.

ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and Chimera Investments have established ADC Acquisition Corporation (ADC), the UAE’s first Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC). ADC was established by ADQ, through its Alpha Oryx special purpose vehicle, and Chimera Investments as a SPAC for the purpose of identifying and combining one or more businesses. In its search for acquisition opportunities, ADC intends to identify scalable businesses with strong management teams.

ADC plans to raise AED367 million through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 36.7 million shares at an offer price of AED10.00 per share. Shares will be sold to qualified retail and professional investors in a public subscription in the UAE and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

The listing of ADC, subject to market conditions and customary approvals, follows a strong performance for ADX in the first quarter of 2022, which was the biggest gainer of the regional stock exchanges. The exchange’s market capitalisation reached approximately AED1.9 trillion at the end of March 2022, up 117.1 percent from the end of March 2021. Liquidity also increased with total value of shares traded at 101.0 billion and total volume of shares traded at 15.6 billion shares, which grew by 87.4 percent and 49.7 percent, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2021.

The launch of ADC will offer target businesses an opportunity to access capital in Abu Dhabi’s capital markets through a faster, less expensive alternative to the traditional IPO method. These companies will also benefit from access to the extensive, multi-sector expertise and combined network brought by ADQ and Chimera Investments.

ADC will be led by an accomplished board and management team with a strong reputation in the industry and a wide range of complementary knowledge and skills. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and CEO of ADQ, will be Chairman of ADC. Syed Basar Shueb, Chairman of Chimera Investments, will be Vice Chairman of ADC.

Alsuwaidi said, "We have partnered with Chimera Investments to launch a SPAC aiming to target companies in the MENA region that are fast-growing, technology-driven businesses with strong management teams and attractive valuations. Through ADC, we are creating a desirable investment structure in the UAE that is well positioned to identify and consolidate target companies through a differentiated approach, providing private companies a new route to funding from public markets and investors with access to an innovative investment product."

Shueb added, "With the launch and listing of ADC, Chimera aims to capitalise on ADX’s newly-issued SPAC regulations, offering investors faster access to capital, higher transparency and lower fees. This in turn will increase liquidity and access to financing for MENA-based businesses and reaffirms our leading role in helping to develop the UAE’s capital markets."

ADX was the first market in the region to introduce comprehensive listing rules under the regulatory framework for SPACs, which was issued by the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in February 2022.