DIFC reports strong growth in H1 2026, reinforcing its leadership as the leading financial hub for MENA and South Asia
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) reported significant growth during the first half of 2026. The number of active registered businesses reached 10,018, reflecting a 30% organic increase over the past year. Regulated financial services firms also rose by 16%, reaching 1,134. These results reinforce DIFC’s role as the largest and most diverse financial ecosystem in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The center continues to attract regional branches at a faster rate than the broader market, with notable growth across banking, capital markets, insurance, reinsurance, asset management, and private wealth sectors. The DIFC Innovation Hub added 361 new firms during H1 2026, bringing its total to 1,933—a year-on-year increase of 39%. Family offices and foundations also saw strong growth, rising by 36% and 67%, respectively. Governor Essa Kazim highlighted the DIFC’s success in attracting global institutions due to Dubai's robust regulatory environment and business ecosystem. The center climbed to seventh place on the Global Financial Centres Index.
Topics: DIFC Dubai_Economy economic_growth regulatory_environment