DIFC’s Registered Firms Increase to 7,700 in H1 2025

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), 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, 25% y-o-y increase.

Additionally, 1,081 new active registered companies joined DIFC between January and June 2025, a 32% increase on the same period in 2024. The number of professionals working in DIFC rose to 47,901, marking a significant 9% increase from 43,787 a year earlier, DIFC said on Monday.

H H Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and President of DIFC, said that the unprecedented results indicated that DIFC continues to achieve across all fronts are a direct reflection of the vision of H H 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,” he explained.

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 (5^th), professional services (6^th), investment management (8^th), infrastructure (9^th) and business environment (10^th).

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% y-o-y from 2024.

Total Financial services authorisations grew 28% y-o-y, reaching 78 in H1 2025 compared with 61 in H1 2024. A total of 289 companies are operating in this sector, up from 247 a year ago, a substantial 17% growth rate in DIFC’s banking and capital markets.

Spurt in Family Businesses

Dubai is home to the highest concentration of private wealth in any Middle Eastern city, according to Henley & Partners and the number of firms in family business sector increased to 440, up from 370 in H1 2024, growing 19% y-o-y

The centre is now home to more than 85 hedge funds, soaring 72% over the last 12 months and includes $69 billion 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% increase.

During the first half of 2025, the Gross written premiums reached $3.5 billion for 2024, compared with $2.6 billion a year earlier – a significant 35% 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.

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.

DIFC’s real estate portfolio continues to support Dubai’s urban development ambitions. Inventory that was provided to the market for the recently launched DIFC Heights, sold out in three days, underscoring strong demand for premium living in the financial district.

Over 1.6 million sq. ft. of commercial space is currently under development, and construction is being accelerated to meet demand. The new space will be ready for occupancy starting from Q1 next year.