Image: DIFC
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) reported its best-ever half-year results in H1 2025, with record growth across financial services, innovation, and fintech sectors.
A total of 1,081 new active registered companies joined DIFC between January and June 2025, a 32 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The total number of active companies reached 7,700, up 25 per cent year-on-year. The number of professionals working in the centre rose to 47,901, a 9 per cent increase from a year earlier.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, said: “Dubai has entered a new and greater phase of growth, and these results highlight the competitiveness, attractiveness, and global confidence it enjoys,” he said. “We believe the future holds even greater opportunities, and we will continue to strengthen DIFC’s capabilities and its ecosystems that foster innovation, agility, and business growth.”
Financial services ecosystem expands
DIFC recorded a 28 per cent increase in financial services authorisations in H1 2025.
The number of entities regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) rose 17 per cent year-on-year to 980.
The banking and capital markets cluster grew 17 per cent to 289 firms, while the number of wealth and asset management companies increased by 19 per cent to 440.
The number of hedge funds operating from DIFC reached 85, representing 72 per cent growth since June 2024.
The centre now hosts 69 funds managing over $1bn each, and more than 10,000 funds are being managed or marketed from the centre.
Entities associated with family businesses rose by 73 per cent to 1,035, and the number of registered foundations increased 54 per cent year-on-year to 842.
The insurance and reinsurance sector saw 8 per cent growth, with 135 firms operating in H1 2025. G
ross written premiums for 2024 reached $3.5bn, up from $2.6bn a year earlier.
Innovation and fintech see continued expansion
The number of fintech, AI, and innovation-focused companies reached 1,388 in H1 2025, up 28 per cent from 1,081 a year earlier. Active non-financial entities grew by 28 per cent to 6,335.
DIFC hosted over 20,000 participants from more than 120 countries during its flagship Dubai AI Festival and FinTech Summit. During the events, the Dubai AI Academy was launched and Dubai Future Finance Week was announced for May 2026.
The Ignyte growth platform, launched in late 2024, has already delivered Dhs182m in economic benefits, supporting start-ups, investors, and founders across the region.
Legislation, education and real estate milestones
The DIFC Academy recorded its highest ever enrolment in a six-month period, with 4,947 learners completing programmes in H1 2025. DIFC also launched the ‘1 Million Learners’ initiative, aimed at equipping one million individuals with sustainability knowledge by 2030.
Over 6,075 hours of sustainability-related training were delivered in H1 2025, bringing the cumulative total to 22,241 hours.
In the legal domain, DIFC proposed new Variable Capital Company Regulations and updates to its existing framework including refinements to the Law of Security, Insolvency Law, and Employment Law. DIFC was also selected to host the 2026 Global Privacy Assembly, the premier forum for international data protection authorities.
On the real estate front, DIFC said inventory for its newly launched DIFC Heights sold out within three days. Over 1.6 million sq ft of commercial space is currently under development and expected to be ready for occupancy from Q1 2026.
Read: DIFC Courts see 38% surge in claims valued at Dhs6.8bn in H1 2025
New entrants at DIFC
New clients joining DIFC in H1 2025 included firms such as 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, and Welwing Capital Management.
“DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification,” said Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, added: “In the first half of 2025, DIFC has exceeded expectations across every metric. Our strong performance demonstrates the power of our ecosystem and the depth of expertise we bring to the industry.”
