ع
The latest Global Financial Centres Index elevated Dubai to seventh among international financial hubs, its strongest showing to date, according to Arabian Business. This placement reinforces objectives under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to secure a position among the top four centres by 2033. The emirate also stands as the highest-ranked financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and the sole one from that area to appear in the global top 20.
According to the index compiled by Z/Yen Group, Dubai secured top five rankings in the FinTech sector along with professional services, government and regulatory affairs, and trading. The assessment positioned the city 14th in banking, with finance, investment management and insurance categories all landing inside the top 10. Z/Yen data further identified Dubai as the financial centre expected to grow most in significance over the coming period.
The report marked the first occasion on which Dubai entered the top 15 across every sector under review. It additionally classified the emirate as the only regional centre possessing both broad and deep capabilities in finance. Dubai also featured in the global top 10 for business environment, financial sector development, human capital and infrastructure.
DIFC figures show the Dubai International Financial Centre now accommodates more than 9,000 active companies supported by a workforce exceeding 50,000 individuals. These entities encompass banks, asset managers, hedge funds, insurers and an array of professional services providers. FinTech and innovation firms operating through the centre have collectively raised more than $4.2 billion in funding.
A separate fDi Markets database maintained by the Financial Times Ltd placed Dubai first globally for greenfield foreign direct investment projects in the first half of 2025, with associated inflows reaching $11 billion. The emirate led multiple industry clusters including professional services and FinTech while claiming an 8 percent share of worldwide greenfield activity. This performance also saw Dubai advance to second for total greenfield FDI capital and third for jobs generated.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Dubai’s rise as one of the world’s pre-eminent FinTech hubs is a testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to not only place Dubai at the forefront of the world’s leading cities, but also to shape the future of diverse sectors.” The statement appeared in coverage of the rankings. Officials at the DIFC have pointed to the role of regulatory enhancements and infrastructure investments in sustaining this trajectory.
