DeveloperDubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Our Legacy

Over the past twenty years, DIFC has transformed from a vision into a global financial powerhouse. Established in 2004, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DIFC was launched to become a world-class financial centre designed to attract international businesses and investors. 

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who assumed the role of Chairman and President in 2011, companies continued to establish themselves within DIFC, solidifying its status as a global business hub. The Centre also continued to innovate, launching the region’s first FinTech Accelerator, a digitally integrated courtroom, while also establishing the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group.

In 2019, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the 'Dubai Future District', connecting DIFC with key business areas, while fostering investment in future-focused industries. In 2020, DIFC introduced DEWS - a new employee savings plan. It also launched the DIFC Innovation Hub in 2021, which played an important role in exceeding the Centre's Strategy 2024 goals three years ahead of schedule.

As a result of DIFC's foresight in embracing technology and Dubai’s ‘open for business’ optimism, the Centre showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic, maintaining double-digit growth in company registrations.

By 2022, DIFC was home to 60% of GCC FinTech companies, while also enacting a comprehensive crypto token regime. In 2023, DIFC worked with global partners to accelerate climate action and launched the DIFC Sustainable Finance Catalyst.

Reflecting the confidence of the global financial services industry, the Centre’s ecosystem continues to grow, while diversifying to meet market demand. As DIFC enters its third decade, it remains committed to driving the future of finance, technology, sustainability, and supporting family businesses, with a commitment to double its GDP contribution by 2030.