HE Essa Kazim Governor of DIFC
World Headlines PH | DUBAI, UAE, July 28, 2025 — Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has reported its strongest-ever performance in the first half of a year, reinforcing its central role in driving Dubai’s future economy and supporting the ambitious Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The surge in registrations, innovation-led expansion, and rising global status place DIFC among the world’s elite financial hubs.
What’s New?
DIFC welcomed 1,081 new active companies between January and June 2025, marking a record for the financial hub and pushing its total to 7,700 registered entities. Alongside this, the workforce at DIFC swelled to 47,901 professionals, reflecting the Centre’s growing role as a magnet for talent and investment across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA).
Financial services authorisations increased by 28% year-on-year, with 78 new firms joining the sector in H1 2025 compared to 61 in the same period last year. The capital markets and banking cluster also saw strong growth, now encompassing 289 firms, up from 247 in H1 2024. In wealth and asset management, DIFC added 70 more firms, reaching a total of 440 — including 85 hedge funds, of which 69 manage over a billion dollars each. Impressively, over 10,000 funds are now either managed or marketed from the Centre.
Transforming Dubai’s Financial Landscape
The family business ecosystem at DIFC experienced rapid expansion, with 1,035 active entities compared to just 600 a year earlier. The number of registered foundations rose by over 50%, from 548 to 842. The insurance sector also showed healthy momentum, with Gross Written Premiums rising to USD 3.5 billion for 2024 — up from USD 2.6 billion.
Innovation continues to be a core growth engine, as DIFC’s FinTech and Innovation cluster expanded by 28%, jumping from 1,081 to 1,388 firms. Non-financial companies also grew by a staggering 28%, now totaling 6,335.
“DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification,” said H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC. “Our consistent performance across all sectors and rising global standing strengthen our commitment to supporting innovation, attracting global capital, and reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified economies.”
DIFC’s expanding influence places Dubai among the top eight cities worldwide with “broad and deep” financial sector capabilities, joining the ranks of London, New York, and Paris in the Global Financial Centres Index.
A Hub in High Demand
To meet booming demand, over 1.6 million square feet of new commercial space is currently under construction at DIFC, with new buildings set to open for tenants starting Q1 2026. This infrastructure expansion mirrors the Centre’s momentum in establishing Dubai as a future-ready capital for finance, tech, and investment.
About Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
DIFC is the leading global financial hub for the MEASA region and serves as a launchpad for innovation, investment, and enterprise. It plays a vital role in realizing Dubai’s strategic vision by enabling firms to operate within a robust regulatory environment while also benefitting from its innovation-friendly ecosystem and global connectivity.
Source: PR Newswire
