Dubai International Financial Centre has recorded its strongest half-year performance to date, adding 1,081 new companies in the first six months of 2025 and increasing its total number of active registered firms to 7,700. This 25% year-on-year growth highlights DIFC’s expanding influence in the global financial sector and its contribution to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
The number of professionals based in DIFC rose by 9% to 47,901, while the Centre also reported a 17% increase in firms regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, now totaling 980. Financial services authorisations rose by 28%, reaching 78 in H1 2025.
“Dubai has entered a new and greater phase of growth”
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum commented, “The unprecedented results that DIFC continues to achieve across all fronts are a direct reflection of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Dubai has entered a new and greater phase of growth, and these results highlight the competitiveness, attractiveness, and global confidence it enjoys. We firmly believe the future holds even more opportunities, and we will continue to strengthen DIFC’s capabilities and its ecosystems that foster innovation, agility, and business growth.”
Dubai’s status as a top-tier financial center has been reinforced by its rankings in the Global Financial Centres Index, placing in the top ten globally in categories such as FinTech, professional services, investment management, infrastructure, and business environment. It remains the only city from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia in these rankings.
In banking and capital markets, DIFC hosts 289 companies, a 17% increase from the previous year. The Centre also expanded its presence in wealth and asset management, with 440 firms now active in the sector and more than 85 hedge funds domiciled in the district. Assets under management include over 10,000 funds, with 69 classified as billion-dollar entities.
Family business activity surged with 1,035 family-owned enterprises now operating in DIFC, a 73% increase from the same period in 2024. The number of registered foundations also rose to 842, up 54% year-on-year.
Insurance and reinsurance continued to expand, reaching 135 firms, while gross written premiums grew from USD 2.6 billion in 2023 to USD 3.5 billion in 2024, a 35% increase.
New entrants in H1 2025 included global names such as ABK Capital, Avaloq, Baron Capital, Bluecrest Capital, Cambridge Associates, China International Capital Corporation, Manulife, PIMCO, Silver Point Capital, and TransAmerica Life Bermuda.
Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said, “DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification. Our consistent performance across all key sectors and rising global standing are evidence of our commitment to supporting innovation, attracting global capital, and reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified economies.”
The innovation and technology ecosystem grew sharply, with the number of FinTech and innovation firms rising to 1,388, up from 1,081 a year ago. Non-financial entity registrations grew 28% to 6,335.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, commented, “In the first half of 2025, DIFC has exceeded expectations across every metric. Our strong performance demonstrates the power of our ecosystem, the scale of our platform, and the depth of expertise we bring to the industry. We remain committed to transforming the future of finance from Dubai and advancing our position as the region’s number one global financial centre.”
Flagship events like the Dubai AI Festival and Dubai FinTech Summit attracted over 20,000 participants from more than 120 countries. These events led to the launch of Dubai AI Academy and the announcement of Dubai Future Finance Week, to be held in May 2026.
DIFC’s Ignyte platform, introduced at the end of 2024, has already enabled users to redeem AED 182 million in benefits. The platform targets 100,000 founders, startups, and investors, positioning itself as a tool for real economic impact.
In education, the DIFC Academy delivered its best half-year performance, with 4,947 learners completing courses between January and June. Since inception, over 46,000 people have completed programs through the Academy. The Centre’s sustainability education push included the launch of the ‘1 Million Learners’ initiative, which has already delivered more than 6,000 hours of sustainability-related learning in H1 2025.
DIFC also proposed key legislative updates during the period, including new Variable Capital Company Regulations and revisions to the Law of Security, Insolvency Law, and Employment Law. These measures aim to expand investment structuring options and align DIFC’s legal framework with international standards.
In a further sign of its global positioning, DIFC was selected to host the 2026 Global Privacy Assembly, the leading global forum for data protection and privacy regulators.
In real estate, DIFC Heights sold out within three days of launch, and over 1.6 million square feet of new commercial space is currently under development. A new data platform has also been launched to provide third-party access to real estate market information, in line with the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033.
DIFC’s record first half underscores its growing status as a global center for financial services, digital innovation, and capital formation, while reinforcing Dubai’s strategic ambitions across finance, governance, and urban development.
