The insurance and reinsurance sector also experienced robust growth, with 135 related firms now operating in the ecosystem, increasing 8% from 125 in H1 2024. During the first half of 2025, it was announced that Gross written premiums reached USD 3.5bn for 2024, compared to USD 2.6bn a year earlier – a significant 35% increase.
Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), announced its best-ever performance for the first half of a year, reinforcing its pivotal role in driving the future of finance and contributing to the Dubai economic agenda.
The insurance and reinsurance sector also experienced robust growth, with 135 related firms now operating in the ecosystem, increasing 8% from 125 in H1 2024. During the first half of 2025, it was announced that gross written premiums reached $3.5bn for 2024, compared to $ 2.6bn a year earlier – a significant 35% increase.
Dubai is also home to the highest concentration of private wealth in any Middle Eastern city, according to Henley & Partners. This has supported growth in DIFC’s wealth and asset management cluster, which is the biggest in the region.
The number of firms in the sector increased to 440, up from 370 in H1 2024, growing 19% year-on-year. The Centre is now home to more than 85 hedge funds, soaring 72% over the last 12 months and includes 69 billion-dollar funds. Over 10,000 funds are being managed or marketed from DIFC.
DIFC’s approach to supporting family businesses, including providing access to alternative investments through its wealth and asset management clients, and structures to support growth, continues to ensure the Centre is their preferred location. The number of entities associated with family businesses operating in DIFC has risen to 1,035, up from 600 a year ago, marking a 73% increase. The number of foundations in DIFC have accelerated to 842, up from 548 in H1 2024, a 54% year-on-year increase.
New entrants to DIFC’s expanding client base during H1 2025 include ABK Capital, Avaloq, Baron Capital, Bluecrest Capital, Bridge Investment Group, Cambridge Associates, China International Capital Corporation, dLocal, Manulife, National Bank of Kuwait, Pearl Diver Capital, PIMCO, RV Capital, Silver Point Capital, Tourmaline, TransAmerica Life Bermuda, Welwing Capital Management and many others.
H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC said, “DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification. Our consistent performance across all key sectors and rising global standing are evidence of our commitment to supporting innovation, attracting global capital, and reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified economies.”
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority commented: “In the first half of 2025, DIFC has exceeded expectations across every metric. Our strong performance demonstrates the power of our ecosystem, the scale of our platform, and the depth of expertise we bring to the industry. We remain committed to transforming the future of finance from Dubai and advancing our position as the region’s number one global financial centre.”
A global leader in AI, FinTech and innovation
DIFC’s innovation ecosystem continued to attract a growing number of technology-led firms. The number of FinTech and Innovation companies reached 1,388, up from 1,081 in H1 2024 a surge of 28%, securing Dubai’s position a one of the world’s top five hubs for FinTech in the latest Global Financial Centres Index.
During H1 2025, this contributed to an overall 28% growth in total active non-financial entities, increasing to 6,335, up from 4,935 a year earlier.
The Centre’s flagship events, the Dubai AI Festival and Dubai FinTech Summit, collectively attracted over 20,000 participants from 120+ countries. During these events and in support of DIFC’s innovation agenda, the Dubai AI Academy was launched, and Dubai Future Finance Week was announced. Being held in May 2026, the week will bring together six major events, including the FinTech Summit, Future Sustainability Forum, and the Dubai Future District Fund AGM.
Having launched Ignyte at the end of 2024, a growth platform targeting 100,000 founders, start-ups, and investors subscribers have already redeemed benefits exceeding AED 182mn. This reflects Ignyte’s real economic benefit and demonstrates how the platform is an enabler for growth.