Dubai International Financial Centre records best ever performance for H1

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), on Monday announced its best-ever performance for the first half of a year, reinforcing its pivotal role in driving the future of finance and contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

In the first six months of 2025, DIFC saw a record number of new firms establishing operations in the centre, bringing the total number of active registered companies to 7,700, up from 6,153 in H1 2024 - a 25 per cent year-on-year increase. Additionally, 1,081 new active registered companies joined DIFC between January and June 2025, a 32 per cent increase on the same period in 2024.

The number of professionals working in DIFC rose to 47,901, marking a significant 9 per cent increase from 43,787 a year earlier.

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, 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 centres.

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.” Driven by DIFC’s strategic initiatives and unmatched scale in the region across all sectors, Dubai has been categorised as one of only eight cities globally to possess ‘broad and deep’ capabilities across all parts of the finance industry in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), standing alongside cities like London, New York, and Paris.

Dubai is currently the sole centre 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 per cent year-on-year from 2024.

Total Financial services authorisations grew 28 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent year-on-year. The centre is now home to more than 85 hedge funds, soaring 72 per cent over the last 12 months and includes 69 billion-dollar funds. Over 10,000 funds are being managed or marketed from DIFC.

DIFC’s approach to supporting family businesses, including providing access to alternative investments through its wealth and asset management clients, and structures to support growth, continues to ensure the centre is their preferred location.

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 per cent 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 per cent 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.”

WAM