Dubai International Financial’s performance reflects the growing international confidence in its legal and regulatory framework

The Dubai International Financial Center announced the achievement of notable sector-level achievements in the first half of 2026, driven by continued global confidence in Dubai as a destination for financial services, business and innovation.

The number of active registered companies in the Dubai International Financial Center rose to 10,018 companies at the end of the first half of 2026, after attracting 2,318 new active registered companies during the past 12 months, a growth of 30%.

Financial services companies subject to supervision and regulation grew to 1,134 companies, an increase of 16%, which strengthens the position of the DIFC as the largest and most diversified financial services system in the region. These results reinforce the center’s contribution to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the four best financial centers in the world.

Continuous confidence

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre, said: “With the vision and directives 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, Dubai continues to consolidate its position as a global economic center and one of the most flexible financial engines ready to create the future.”

His Highness added: “The exceptional performance of the Dubai International Financial Center, with the number of active registered companies exceeding 10,000 for the first time, embodies the growing international confidence of major investors and global financial institutions in the legal and regulatory framework that the center provides for finance and business, and what it represents as a gateway to growth and expansion in the region and the world.”

His Highness continued: “The results of the Dubai International Financial Center represent a strategic milestone in supporting the achievement of the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to strengthen the position of the Emirate of Dubai to be among the four best financial centers in the world. Dubai will continue to develop a financial system that is the most diverse and integrated to remain a major center for shaping future global financial sector trends and enabling global investment flows.”

His Highness said in a blog post on the “X” website yesterday: “The Dubai International Financial Center continues to achieve its positive results and successive achievements to bring Dubai to the goal set for it by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, within its D33 economic agenda to be among the four best financial centers in the world. In its results during the first half of this year, the number of active registered companies in the center exceeded the 10,000 mark for the first time in Its history, with an annual growth of 30%, and artificial intelligence, financial technology and innovation companies rose to 1,933 companies with a growth of 39%, in addition to the continued growth in family companies and institutions.

His Highness added: “In Dubai, leadership will not stop at what we achieve, but will continue with the opportunities we create for others on a journey that not only keeps pace with the future, but rather participates in shaping it.”

The strength of Dubai’s economy

For his part, Issa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, said: “The Center’s performance reflects the strength, resilience and attractiveness of Dubai’s economy in the long term. As the largest and most diversified financial services system in the region, the Center continues to attract global institutions, capital and talent seeking to access markets with high growth rates in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Our success is based on world-class legal and regulatory frameworks and an integrated business system, which enhances Dubai’s position among the leading financial centers in the world.”

For his part, CEO of the DIFC Authority, Arif Amiri, said: “The center’s performance in the first half of the year embodies the continued confidence that global institutions have in Dubai and the DIFC as a preferred platform for growth. We are witnessing strong momentum in all key areas of the financial services sector, supported by the expansion of the customer base, innovation activity, and investment flows. As we continue our efforts to transform into the first global financial center that relies entirely on artificial intelligence, the DIFC’s focus remains focused on creating an environment that… “It is where capital, technology and talent converge to shape the future of the financial sector.”

Financial services

The Dubai International Financial Center has continued to strengthen its position, supported by growth in the sectors of banking and capital markets, wealth and asset management, insurance and reinsurance, hedge funds, financial technology and innovation, and the center’s financial system maintains its growth at a faster pace by attracting more regional offices than the market. This includes 327 banks and capital markets companies, 165 insurance and reinsurance companies, and 592 wealth and asset management companies, including the highest concentration of hedge funds in the country. The center also maintained its position as the largest insurance and reinsurance center in the region, with the total written insurance premiums for the year 2025 reaching about $4.2 billion, with continued expansion by international companies operating in the insurance market. The progress of the Dubai International Financial Center to seventh place globally in the global financial centers index reflects the growing influence of Dubai in the international financial system, and the center’s pivotal role in linking markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas. This classification, which was prepared independently in London, places Dubai at the forefront of financial centers in the Middle East region. Africa and South Asia.

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“Innovation Hub”

During the first half of this year, the Centre’s “Innovation Hub” center attracted 361 new companies, bringing the total number of companies operating within it in the fields of artificial intelligence, financial technology and innovation to 1,933 companies, achieving a growth of 39% compared to the same period last year, while the “Ignyte” platform continued to support founders and entrepreneurs by providing access to capital, guidance, counselling, and growth opportunities. The Center announced during the first half of the year its ambition to become the first center A global financial sector that relies entirely on artificial intelligence, and this transformation is expected to contribute to achieving economic benefits worth $3.5 billion (12.9 billion dirhams), as well as 25,000 new job opportunities.

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Capital of Private Wealth Management

The Dubai International Financial Center continued to strengthen its position as the capital of private wealth management in the region, and the number of entities associated with family businesses rose to 1,408, an increase of 36% year-on-year, and the number of institutions rose to 1,409, an increase of 67% during the past 12 months.

Initiatives to support families during the Year of the Family in the UAE included the establishment of the Expert Advisory Council at the Family Wealth Center in the Dubai International Financial Center, and the “Next Generation of Leaders Programme.”