The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced record annual results for 2025, furt strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The number of active registered companies at the Centre rose to more than 8,844, marking a 28% increase compared to 2024. The number of newly active companies also grew by around 2,525, up 39% year-on-year, underscoring the DIFC’s attractiveness as a strategic gateway to global and regional financial markets. Total combined revenues for 2025 increased by an unprecedented 20%, reaching AED 2.13 billion, up from AED 1.78 billion in 2024. Net profit rose by 28% to AED 1.48 billion, compared to AED 1.16 billion in 2024.
A Leading Destination for Finance and Business
His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Development of the Economic and Financial Sector in Dubai, and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre, said:
“The unprecedented results achieved by the Dubai International Financial Centre in 2025 across all areas translate the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, to firmly establish Dubai as a leading global destination for finance and business, and as an international hub for creating new economic and financial opportunities.”
He added:
“The continued growth in the number of registered companies, revenues, and net profits reflects the increasing confidence of global financial institutions in Dubai’s economic ecosystem and in the legislative and regulatory framework of the DIFC, which is founded on integrity, efficiency, and transparency. This further reinforces the Centre’s role as a key driver of Dubai’s regional and international competitiveness.”
He continued:
“The Dubai International Financial Centre remains a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s ambitious strategy to rank among the world’s top four global financial centres. We will continue to develop legal and regulatory frameworks, enhance infrastructure, strengthen the business environment, and attract top talent and high-quality investments to ensure Dubai remains at the forefront of global financial centres and the preferred destination for institutions, investors, and innovators worldwide.”
Comprehensive Coverage Across All Sectors
In 2025, the Centre’s financial ecosystem continued to grow at a pace faster than the market, contributing to Dubai’s transformation into a major global hub for financial services. The DIFC remains the preferred destination for financial firms seeking access to regional and global markets. This is reflected in its status as home to the region’s largest regulated financial services ecosystem, comprising more than 1,052 companies.
These include regional headquarters for over 290 banks and capital markets institutions, 135 insurance and reinsurance companies, 70 brokerage firms, and more than 500 wealth and asset management entities, including 102 hedge funds, as well as over 1,289 entities related to family businesses. Broad-based activity across all sectors enables the Centre and its client ecosystem to make a unique contribution to the development of the global financial services industry.
In 2025, the DIFC’s growing client base included companies such as Cambridge Associates, CapitaLand, China International Capital Corporation, dLocal, Howden Re Insurance, ICICI Asset Management, Manulife, National Bank of Kuwait, North Rock Capital, PIMCO, hedge fund RV Capital, Silver Point Capital, Squarepoint Capital, Starwood Capital, Tourmaline, Turkish Waqf Bank, Transamerica Life Bermuda, Warburg Pincus, and many others.
