Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded a landmark year in 2025, adding a record 1,924 new companies and lifting the total number of active firms to 8,844, according to DIFC Governor Essa Kazim. The 28% annual increase was driven by strong inflows of asset managers, wealth firms and financial services companies, reinforcing DIFC’s position as the region’s leading financial centre.
Revenue rose 20% year on year to AED 2.13 billion, while net profit increased 28% to AED 1.48 billion. Momentum has continued into 2026, with early indicators pointing to further acceleration.
The strong performance underpins Dubai’s plan to double DIFC’s size through the Za’abeel District expansion, aligned with the D33 agenda to position the emirate among the world’s top global financial hubs.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer