By Staff Reporter
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has recorded its best-ever half-year performance in H1 2025, marking a significant milestone in its mission to shape the future of finance and contribute to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
A total of 1,081 new companies joined the Centre, bringing the number of active registered firms to 7,700, a 25% increase from the same period in 2024. The workforce within DIFC also grew by 9% to reach 47,901 professionals.
DIFC continues to solidify its global standing, with Dubai ranked among the top global financial cities across key sectors like FinTech (5th), professional services (6th), and investment management (8th), according to the Global Financial Centres Index. The Centre is home to 980 DFSA-regulated entities, 289 banking and capital market firms, and 440 wealth and asset management firms, including 85 hedge funds and 69 billion-dollar funds.
The number of family business-linked entities grew by 73%, while the foundations sector expanded by 54%. Insurance and reinsurance firms in DIFC reached 135, with gross written premiums for 2024 hitting USD 3.5 billion, up 35% year-on-year.
DIFC also leads in FinTech and innovation, hosting 1,388 firms in this space — a 28% annual rise. The Ignyte platform, launched in late 2024, has already delivered AED 182 million in benefits, while flagship events like the Dubai AI Festival and FinTech Summit attracted over 20,000 participants.
In education, the DIFC Academy enrolled a record 4,947 learners in H1 2025 and launched the ‘1 Million Learners’ initiative targeting widespread sustainability knowledge. Its legal and regulatory frameworks evolved further with proposed updates on investment structures and global best practices, and DIFC will host the Global Privacy Assembly 2026.
On the real estate front, DIFC Heights sold out in three days, and 1.6 million sq. ft. of commercial space is under development to meet growing demand. These achievements affirm DIFC’s role in driving Dubai’s competitiveness, innovation, and global appeal as a leading financial centre.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
