Dubai has reinforced its status as the leading financial center in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), driven by sustained growth in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and key milestones across regulation, financial services, and dispute resolution.

The DIFC has now surpassed 8,000 active registered companies, with more than 1,000 entities regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the Centre’s independent regulator. As of this year, the DIFC Courts have recorded more than AED 17.5 billion in total case values, reflecting increasing demand for the jurisdiction’s legal services.

According to the latest Global Financial Centres Index, Dubai has advanced to 11th place worldwide, maintaining its position as the top financial hub in the region and ranking among the world’s top four FinTech centers.

Officials emphasize the alignment of DIFC’s growth with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), a roadmap for economic transformation and diversification. DIFC Governor Essa Kazim stated the Centre is supporting sustainable economic development by attracting international firms and talent, while offering a robust legal and regulatory environment.

Since its founding in 2004, the DIFC has operated through three independent bodies - the DIFC Authority, DFSA, and DIFC Courts - providing companies with legal certainty, regulatory oversight, and business agility. This structure has positioned Dubai as a gateway for financial institutions seeking access to the MEASA region’s 72 markets.

Today, DIFC hosts the region’s largest financial ecosystem, employing over 48,000 professionals across banking, capital markets, insurance, and asset management. Of its 289 licensed banking and capital markets firms, 27 are globally systemically important banks. Collectively, these firms manage approximately USD 240 billion in banking assets from the Centre - a nearly 200% increase over the past decade.

Mark Steward, Chief Executive of the DFSA, emphasized the importance of a strong regulatory framework, highlighting that over 1,000 financial entities now fall under DFSA oversight - the highest concentration in the region. He noted that firms are drawn to DIFC to connect with global capital and access new growth markets.

To maintain its competitiveness, the DFSA is evolving its funds regime to support hedge funds, alternative investments, and wealth management platforms, further positioning DIFC as a preferred destination for institutional finance.

In the legal domain, the DIFC Courts continue to lead as the region’s premier English-language commercial court. Chief Justice Wayne Martin noted a consistent rise in claim values and complexity, particularly in opt-in cases, reinforcing confidence in the Courts' capability and enforceability across the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

DIFC CEO Arif Amiri concluded that surpassing 8,000 registered companies is a direct result of Dubai’s strategic approach to financial services, innovation, and economic diversification. "We are shaping the global financial landscape from Dubai, while enabling the region’s digital and economic future."

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office 

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.