The number of active registered companies at the end of last year surged to 8,844, employing more than 50,000 people in the centre. Launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, DIFC Za’abeel District will help position Dubai among the top four global financial hubs. The first phase of the new district is set to be completed by the end of this decade and will cost Dh20 billion to complete, Mr Kazim said. DIFC plans to fund the development through a combination of internal financing and future cash flows, and to fill any funding gaps through bank financing, Mr Kazim said. Financial sector boomDIFC, which is home to global investment banks, insurers, global consulting companies, family offices, hedge funds, as well as wealth and asset management and financial technology companies, recorded a 28 per cent annual increase in the number of financial sector companies.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 05, 2026 18:18 UTC