Dubai financial hub surpasses 10,000 firms as AI strategy aims to create 25,000 jobs.
Dubai International Financial Centre has surpassed 10,000 active companies for the first time, with its AI-native financial centre strategy projected to create 25,000 jobs and contribute Dh12.9 billion in economic value.
DIFC’s active registered companies reached 10,018 at the close of the first half of 2026, growing 30% over the past year as 2,318 new businesses joined the financial centre.
Regulated financial services firms at DIFC rose 16% to 1,134, further cementing its position as the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region’s leading financial services ecosystem. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, said the milestone of exceeding 10,000 active registered companies demonstrates the sustained confidence of global financial institutions, investors and innovators in DIFC’s robust legal and regulatory environment and its ability to connect businesses with growth opportunities locally and worldwide.
More financial firms choose Dubai
DIFC continued to attract financial businesses across key sectors, with growth recorded in banking, capital markets, insurance, wealth management and investment activities during the first half of the year.
The financial centre is now home to 327 banking and capital markets firms, 165 insurance and reinsurance companies, and 592 wealth and asset management businesses, further strengthening its position as a leading global financial hub.
DIFC also maintained its status as the region’s largest insurance and reinsurance centre, with gross written premiums reaching $4.2 billion in 2025.
Dubai continues to attract global financial players
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said international companies are continuing to select Dubai as their preferred location for establishing regional operations.
“Our financial performance in the first half of 2026 shows that the global centre of gravity for finance is continuing to move towards Dubai,” Amiri said.
He added that DIFC remains the region’s only financial centre operating at scale across all sectors, with its ecosystem expanding rapidly and attracting a growing number of regional headquarters compared with the wider market.
Global firms expand presence in DIFC
New companies establishing regional offices at DIFC since the first half of 2025 include Citadel, Bank of Canada, JP Morgan International Advisors, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, Allianz Trade Middle East and Sun Life.
Dubai climbed to seventh place globally in the Global Financial Centres Index, securing its position as the highest-ranked financial centre across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.
“This clearly demonstrates that global financial institutions, family offices and technology innovators see DIFC as the key ecosystem for designing, scaling and securing the future of their global operations,” Amiri said.
AI ecosystem expands 39%
DIFC’s AI, FinTech and innovation ecosystem grew by 39% year on year, reaching 1,933 companies after the Innovation Hub attracted 361 new businesses in the first half of the year.
DIFC advances AI-native financial centre vision
DIFC earlier this year unveiled plans to become the world’s first AI-native financial centre by integrating artificial intelligence across regulation, infrastructure, business operations and talent development.
The transformation is projected to deliver $3.5 billion (Dh12.9 billion) in economic value and create 25,000 jobs.
“DIFC continues to generate tangible economic value as we advance towards becoming the world’s first AI-native financial centre,” Amiri said.
Key initiatives supporting this vision include the Dubai AI Campus and the Ignyte platform, which provide technology companies and entrepreneurs with access to funding, mentorship and business support to accelerate growth and innovation.
Dubai strengthens position in next-generation finance
“This progress firmly positions Dubai at the forefront of next-generation financial services,” Amiri said.
Family wealth sector continues to expand
DIFC also recorded continued growth in family businesses and private wealth structures, highlighting the centre’s growing role as a hub for wealth management.
The number of family business-related entities increased 36% to 1,408, while foundations grew 67% to reach 1,409 over the past 12 months.
To support the long-term sustainability of family enterprises, DIFC launched initiatives including the Family Wealth Centre Expert Advisory Council and the Next Generation Leadership Programme, focused on succession planning, wealth preservation and effective governance of family assets.
DIFC strengthens position as a wealth management hub
“DIFC has firmly established itself as the region’s leading hub for wealth preservation and family enterprises,” Amiri said.
“Through the DIFC Family Wealth Centre and initiatives such as the Next Generation Leadership Programme, we are providing global families with the frameworks, security and expertise required to manage and preserve wealth across generations.”
Growing demand for commercial space
Demand for office space continued to accelerate in the first half of the year, with the 600,000-square-foot DIFC Square development fully leased ahead of completion.
The upcoming DIFC Zabeel District will add further capacity as the financial centre expands to support the growth of new companies, workforce requirements and financial institutions.
IFC Academy expands skills development programmes
DIFC Academy increased its portfolio of programmes by 22% to 144 during the first half of the year, helping build the capabilities and expertise needed across finance, technology and the broader knowledge economy.
Alternative concise version:
DIFC Academy expanded its programmes by 22% to 144 in H1 2026, strengthening skills development across financial services, technology and the wider knowledge economy.
