Dubai, UAE — Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), said Monday that it witnessed a saw a record number of new firms establishing operations in the center in the first half of 2026.
The total number of active registered companies reached 7,700, up from 6,153 in H1 2024 – a 25 percent year-on-year increase.
Additionally, 1,081 new active registered companies joined DIFC between January and June 2025, a 32 percent increase on the same period in 2024.
The number of professionals working in DIFC rose to 47,901, marking a significant 9 percent increase from 43,787 a year earlier.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and President of DIFC, said, “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, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai – a vision focused on positioning Dubai at the forefront of the world’s most advanced financial centers.”
Dubai is currently the sole center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia to be listed among the top GFCI ranked financial cities globally in several sectors: FinTech (5th), professional services (6th), investment management (8th), infrastructure (9th) and business environment (10th).
DIFC continues to advance its position as the region’s largest regulated financial services ecosystem. A total of 980 entities are now regulated by the DFSA, the independent regulator for business undertaken from or within DIFC, up 17 percent year-on-year from 2024.
Total Financial services authorizations grew 28 percent year-on-year, reaching 78 in H1 2025 compared to 61 in H1 2024.
DIFC’s banking and capital markets cluster is unrivalled in the region, and growth aligns with the demand for broad and deep financial services capabilities to support the region’s economic development aspirations. A total of 289 companies operate in this sector, up from 247 a year ago, a substantial 17 percent growth rate.
Dubai is home to the highest concentration of private wealth in any Middle Eastern city, according to Henley & Partners. This has supported growth in DIFC’s wealth and asset management cluster, which is the biggest in the region.
The number of firms in the sector increased to 440, up from 370 in H1 2024, growing 19 percent year-on-year. The center is now home to more than 85 hedge funds, soaring 72 percent over the last 12 months and includes 69 billion-dollar funds. Over 10,000 funds are being managed or marketed from DIFC.
The number of entities associated with family businesses operating in DIFC has risen to 1,035, up from 600 a year ago, marking a 73 percent increase.
The number of foundations in DIFC has accelerated to 842, up from 548 in H1 2024, a 54percent year-on-year increase.
The insurance and reinsurance sector also experienced robust growth, with 135 related firms now operating in the ecosystem, increasing 8percent from 125 in H1 2024.
During the first half of 2025, it was announced that Gross written premiums reached US$3.5 billion for 2024, compared to US$2.6 billion a year earlier – a significant 35 percent increase.
New entrants to DIFC’s expanding client base during H1 2025 include ABK Capital, Avaloq, Baron Capital, Bluecrest Capital, Bridge Investment Group, Cambridge Associates, China International Capital Corporation, dLocal, Manulife, National Bank of Kuwait, Pearl Diver Capital, PIMCO, RV Capital, Silver Point Capital, Tourmaline, TransAmerica Life Bermuda, Welwing Capital Management and many others.
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.”
DIFC’s innovation ecosystem continued to attract a growing number of technology-led firms. The number of FinTech and Innovation companies reached 1,388, up from 1,081 in H1 2024 a surge of 28 percent, securing Dubai’s position a one of the world’s top five hubs for FinTech in the latest Global Financial Centres Index.
During H1 2025, this contributed to an overall 28 percent growth in total active non-financial entities, increasing to 6,335, up from 4,935 a year earlier.
