AED100 billion DIFC Zabeel District launched to strengthen Dubai’s global financial hub

• Dubai has launched the AED100bn DIFC Zabeel District, adding 17.7m sq ft of capacity for 42,000 companies and 125,000 professionals by 2040.
• Delivered in 6 phases from 2030 to 2040, the project dedicates 1 million sq ft to AI and advanced technologies.
• With DFSA regulation, DIFC Courts, 8,000 active firms and 600,000 sq ft already added, the project strengthens certainty for doing business in Dubai.

The Government of Dubai has launched the AED100 billion DIFC Zabeel District expansion, a major development within the Dubai International Financial Centre designed to scale its global capacity and competitiveness. It will add 17.7 million sq ft of floor space, create room for over 125,000 professionals, and support more than 42,000 companies by 2040. In keeping with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, this development seeks to improve the emirate’s status as one of the top four financial hubs in the world.

The entire endeavour will be completed in 6 stages, with the first phase expected to open in 2030 and the complete masterplan estimated to be finished by 2040. The phased approach makes it possible to roll out commercial, residential, retail, hospitality, education, and innovation facilities gradually.

In an X post, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, emphasised (translated from Arabic) that the national economy is going through major qualitative shifts. He also said that these expansions are meant to achieve development milestones, making Dubai’s future as a global economic hub more secure each day.

The expansion essentially strengthens the city’s business environment by bringing together financial services, innovation, education, and culture in one ecosystem. This centre is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and supported by DIFC Courts. More than 1 million sq ft will be set aside for future technologies, including the world’s first AI Campus, which will host 6,000 companies and 30,000 specialists. This size and clear regulations are key for international firms considering entering Dubai’s market, within a globally recognised jurisdiction.

DIFC Zabeel District also boosts opportunities for Dubai SMEs by giving access to capital, talent, and advanced infrastructure. Notably, the expansion of the DIFC Academy will help workforce development by training 50,000 students each year. Its proximity to sovereign wealth funds and multinational institutions further enhances growth prospects for SMEs in finance, fintech, and the digital economy.

It’s also worth noting that the new development will be linked to the existing DIFC Gate District and modern transport infrastructure. This enables efficient operations for regional and international firms. It builds on DIFC’s existing footprint, which included more than 8,000 active registered companies by late 2025, following the addition of 600,000 sq ft of office space in earlier expansion phases.