Dubai has further cemented its position as the premier financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) surpassing 8,000 active registered companies. This milestone includes over 1,000 entities regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), showcasing the Centre’s robust growth and influence. The DIFC’s banking assets have also surged to approximately $240 billion, marking a 200% increase since 2015. This achievement aligns with Dubai’s rise to 11th place in the Global Financial Centre Index, reinforcing its reputation as a top global FinTech hub and the region’s most credible financial centre. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, emphasized the Centre’s pivotal role in advancing Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), stating, ‘DIFC’s success sets the benchmark for emerging financial centres, offering a business environment rooted in innovation, integrity, and global standards.’ Since its inception in 2004, the DIFC has attracted global financial institutions, innovators, and professional services firms, supported by its unique ecosystem of legal and regulatory certainty. Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, highlighted the Centre’s diversity and scale, noting, ‘Exceeding 8,000 registered companies underscores DIFC’s unmatched position in the region, enabling us to shape the global financial services landscape and drive Dubai’s emergence as a technology innovation hub.’ The DFSA’s evolving regulatory framework, grounded in common law and benchmarked against global standards, continues to draw financial institutions seeking growth and connectivity. Mark Steward, Chief Executive of DFSA, remarked, ‘With over 1,000 regulated entities, DIFC is the region’s premier financial centre, connecting firms with global capital and growth opportunities.’ The DIFC Courts also reported significant activity, with over AED 17.5 billion in total claim values filed this year, reflecting growing trust in its legal framework. As Dubai expands its global influence, the DIFC remains central to its vision for the future of finance, combining scale, innovation, and regulatory excellence to support sustainable economic growth across the region and beyond.
Dubai strengthens global financial standing as DIFC surpasses 8,000 registered companies
