Oak Hill Advisors has received approval from the DFSA as Dubai continues to expand its position as a hub for alternative investments.
Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has welcomed Oak Hill Advisors after the global credit-focused alternative investment firm secured regulatory authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to establish a presence in the emirate.
Oak Hill Advisors (OHA), which managed about $112 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026, is expanding into Dubai following its registration as the 100th hedge fund manager with the DIFC Authority in late 2025.
DIFC said OHA’s arrival reflects Dubai’s expanding role as a hub for global asset managers and financial institutions. The centre already hosts the region’s largest concentration of wealth and asset management firms, supported by its legal and regulatory framework, talent pool, and strategic location between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
OHA specialises in credit strategies spanning private credit, leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, stressed and distressed debt, collateralised loan obligations, and multi-strategy credit investing. The firm brings more than 30 years of experience across global credit markets.
Its expansion into the GCC comes amid the growing importance of private credit in global investment portfolios, as institutional investors seek higher yields and greater diversification beyond traditional public markets.
“Establishing an office in the GCC marks an important milestone in OHA’s continued growth in a region where we have developed many significant partnerships over time,” said Declan Tiernan, Partner and Head of EMEA Client Coverage at OHA. “The DIFC offers a sophisticated financial ecosystem, a strong regulatory framework, and strategic access to investors and opportunities across the Middle East and beyond.”
The firm’s DFSA authorisation provides it with a regulated base in Dubai at a time when regional investors are increasing exposure to alternative assets, and global managers are expanding closer to sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and other institutional capital pools.
“OHA’s decision to establish its presence in DIFC further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global financial hub and a destination of choice for the world’s foremost alternative investment firms,” said Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority. “OHA joins a rapidly expanding ecosystem of global asset managers and credit specialists operating from DIFC, reflecting continued confidence in our regulatory environment, infrastructure, and ability to support the evolving needs of the global investment community.”
Dubai is currently ranked seventh globally as a financial centre and sixth for investment management, according to DIFC, supported by a series of initiatives from the centre.
The latest approval strengthens DIFC’s position in the alternatives market, where credit-focused firms are expanding their presence to serve investors seeking exposure to private markets, structured credit, and long-term capital strategies.
