Dubai has launched a massive AED100bn ($27.2bn) expansion of DIFC as Zabeel District is set to become global financial hub, reinforcing Emirate as a leading global centre.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the DIFC Zabeel District, a landmark expansion of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) that will consolidate its position as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, while reinforcing Dubai’s status as the region’s preferred business and lifestyle destination.
The DIFC Zabeel District represents the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region, spanning a site area of 7.1 million square feet and a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet.
DIFC Zabeel District in Dubai
The estimated gross development value exceeds AED100bn ($27.2bn).
Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai continues to strengthen its standing as a global business and finance hub through the launch of landmark, futuristic projects that integrate business needs with a high quality of life, positioning the city as a preferred destination for businesses and talent worldwide.
He said: “Dubai is a story of ambition that knows no bounds, writing its chapters with future-forward achievements and a determination stemming from the belief that building the future is a time-sensitive responsibility.
“In Dubai, we do not wait for change, we make it. We transform dreams into a reality that speaks the language of leadership,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammed added that the DIFC Zabeel District is a key step in advancing the financial sector in Dubai and globally, enabling DIFC to scale to accommodate more than 42,000 companies, a workforce exceeding 125,000, and more than one million square feet dedicated to future technologies and artificial intelligence.
He said the development will also offer state-of-the-art spaces for business, innovation, education and residential living, describing DIFC as the pulsing heart of Dubai’s economy and a bridge connecting East and West.
Sheikh Mohammed also praised the transformation of the financial services industry since DIFC opened in 2004 and commended DIFC’s leadership for driving a new era of global finance and positioning Dubai as a world-leading financial and investment destination.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE and President of DIFC said the DIFC Zabeel District reflects the leadership’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive financial ecosystem that integrates infrastructure with financial regulation to drive growth.
Dubai Economic Agenda
He said the development supports the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double Dubai’s economy by 2033 and position the emirate among the world’s top four financial centres.
He added that the project is a strategic step in DIFC’s journey, creating a launchpad for a new era of innovation and progress in global finance while supporting the rapid growth of financial and technology firms through an agile business environment.
The ceremony highlighted DIFC’s more than 20-year legacy under the theme ‘Tomorrow Begins Here’, tracing its journey from its launch in 2004 to its role today as a global finance hub with world-class infrastructure and governance.
The DIFC Zabeel District is set to double DIFC’s capacity to more than 42,000 businesses and a workforce of over 125,000.
Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC said the expansion will redefine the financial industry in the MEASA region and accelerate DIFC’s contribution to Dubai’s economic growth, creating significant opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global financial leader.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority said the expansion will strengthen Dubai’s global competitiveness and lay the foundations for the next era of global finance, acting as a magnet for financial services expertise and global talent while setting new benchmarks for integrating work and wellbeing.
DIFC growth
The DIFC Zabeel District will allocate more than one million square feet to the world’s largest innovation hub and the world’s first purpose-built artificial intelligence campus.
Tripling in scale, the Innovation Hub will support more than 6,000 businesses and 30,000 technology specialists, alongside a Gaming and Immersive Technologies Hub designed to position Dubai as a centre for next-generation gaming, simulation and digital content creation.
Aligned with Dubai’s Education 33 strategy, DIFC will also become the UAE’s leading hub for further education and a global destination for higher education, attracting world-class universities ranked among the top 25 in the QS World University Rankings.
The DIFC Academy will expand ten-fold to 370,000 square feet, creating capacity for 50,000 learners annually.
The expansion will include a first-of-its-kind art pavilion, reinforcing DIFC’s standing as Dubai’s home to art and culture, with designated sites for landmark works of art and architecture.
Commercial and residential anchors
DIFC Zabeel District will feature a mix of commercial and residential spaces anchored around a central boulevard, alongside a conference centre, hotels, upscale retail and advanced technology infrastructure.
The development will include curated open spaces rich in greenery and biodiversity, designed to support healthier working, living and social connections.
Connected to the existing DIFC Gate District by a signature bridge, the new district will form a seamless continuation of DIFC’s urban fabric. Consisting of six phases, DIFC Zabeel District is expected to welcome the public in 2030, with the masterplan scheduled for completion in 2040. Work on the first phase is now underway.
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