DIFC Celebrates 20 Years with Record Growth as Top Regional Financial Hub

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is the top financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), has announced its best financial results ever for 2024. This achievement comes as the Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary, further strengthening Dubai's role as the leading financial services center in the region.

As of 2024, DIFC now houses 6,920 active companies, which is a 25% increase from 2023, when there were 5,523 companies. The Centre also saw the highest number of new registrations in its history, with 1,823 new companies joining in 2024, reflecting a 25% growth compared to previous years.

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DIFC's total revenue for 2024 reached AED 1.78 billion (USD 484 million), showing the biggest annual increase since its founding. This is a 37% rise from 2023’s record performance. The Centre's operating profit surged to AED 1.33 billion (USD 363 million), marking a 55% increase.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, shared that the growth DIFC has seen in the past 20 years is a reflection of the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. He emphasized that this success solidifies Dubai’s place as a global hub for financial services.

The technology and innovation sector has also been growing quickly within DIFC. This growth is mainly due to the launch of the Dubai AI Campus, which led to a 38% year-on-year increase in the number of companies in the tech sector, bringing the total to 1,245 companies by 2024. The workforce in DIFC also grew, reaching 46,078 people, a 10% increase from the previous year.

In 2024, DIFC continued to attract new financial firms. Some of the new companies registering included Allfunds, ASK Wealth Advisors, Bank of Communications, Bluecrest, Blue Owl, and several others. These companies are part of the growing number of businesses that recognize Dubai’s strength in the financial world.

Essa Kazim, the Governor of DIFC, mentioned that DIFC has played a key role in transforming Dubai’s economy over the last 20 years. He said that DIFC's Strategy 2030 will continue to position the Centre as the leading global financial hub in the region. He also pointed out that DIFC’s reputation is strengthened by its partnerships with international businesses.

DIFC is home to a large number of financial services companies. By the end of 2024, it housed over 260 banking and capital markets firms, 410 wealth and asset management companies (including 75 hedge funds), and 125 insurance companies, making it the largest global financial hub in the region. The Centre also manages over 900 entities through the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), its independent regulator.

Another significant area of growth for DIFC has been private wealth management. Dubai is a strategic hub for companies looking to access the region’s sovereign wealth funds. As of 2024, the wealth and asset management sector within DIFC saw impressive growth, with 410 firms now calling the Centre their home. This includes 75 hedge funds, 48 of which are in the "billion-dollar club."

In 2024, DIFC announced the launch of a new Funds Centre, which will open in 2025. This new space will help investment managers raise and deploy capital, manage investments, attract talent, and expand their networks.

DIFC’s impact extends beyond the financial world. The Centre is helping to grow family businesses, with the number of family-owned businesses at DIFC rising from 600 to over 800 in 2024. Additionally, DIFC is a leader in innovation. The Dubai AI Campus became the largest cluster of AI and Web3 companies in the region. DIFC also launched the Dubai AI Licence, which attracted over 120 companies in just six months.

DIFC has been playing a crucial role in the region’s digital economy as well. It introduced the world’s first Digital Assets Law to accommodate the increasing number of companies using digital currencies.

For the past 20 years, DIFC has been a leader in financial services. The Centre is ranked as the region’s top financial hub in the Global Financial Centre Index, and it has placed highly in other categories such as FinTech, professional services, reputation, finance, and infrastructure. As of 2024, Dubai ranks sixth globally for FinTech, 11th for professional services, and 13th for finance.

The Centre’s commitment to sustainability has also been a priority. DIFC aims to achieve Net Zero by 2045, ahead of the UAE’s national target, by reducing emissions related to its operations, construction, and supply chains.

DIFC continues to attract talent from around the world, with the AI, FinTech, and Innovation sectors growing by 43% in 2024. The Centre also has a strong gender diversity, with 37% of its workforce being female, which is higher than many leading global financial centers.

DIFC’s Academy plays a vital role in developing talent, and offering programs in sustainability and other professional skills. In 2024, more than 9,000 people graduated from its courses, bringing the total number of graduates to over 41,000 since the Academy’s inception.

Overall, DIFC’s 20th anniversary marks two decades of impressive growth, contributing to Dubai’s status as a global leader in financial services, innovation, and sustainability. The Centre’s success has made it a key player in the region and a model for other financial hubs around the world.

Feb. 18, 2025 3:52 p.m. 524

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