Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of DIFC Zabeel District, a significant expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This initiative aims to enhance DIFC's status as a leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, while also bolstering Dubai's reputation as a premier business and lifestyle destination in the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, DIFC Zabeel District represents the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region. The project spans a site area of 7.1 million square feet and a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet. The estimated gross development value of the project exceeds AED100 billion.
During the announcement, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized Dubai's ongoing commitment to enhancing its global business and finance stature by launching innovative projects. These initiatives aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates business needs with a high quality of life, positioning Dubai as a preferred destination for global businesses and talent.
The DIFC Zabeel District is set to accommodate over 42,000 companies and a workforce exceeding 125,000. It will feature more than one million square feet dedicated to future technologies and AI, along with state-of-the-art spaces for business, innovation, education, and residential living. His Highness praised the transformation of Dubai's financial services industry since DIFC's inception in 2004, acknowledging DIFC's leadership for driving a new era of global finance and positioning Dubai as a world-leading financial and investment hub.
A ceremony marking the launch of DIFC Zabeel District was held in Zabeel, adjacent to the existing DIFC Gate District. Notable attendees included H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and other key dignitaries and senior officials.
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted that the DIFC Zabeel District embodies Dubai's commitment to fostering a comprehensive financial ecosystem conducive to innovation. This development aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the emirate's economy by 2033 and solidify its position as a top global financial centre.
The expansion will feature a large innovation hub, the world's first purpose-built AI Campus, and a Gaming and Immersive Technologies Hub, establishing Dubai as a leader in gaming, simulation, and digital content creation. It will also serve as a leading hub for further and higher education, with the DIFC Academy expanding significantly.
The DIFC Zabeel District will include a mix of commercial and residential spaces, a conference centre, hotels, retail offerings, and advanced technology infrastructure, all designed to promote connectivity, wellness, and sustainability. The expansion is planned in six phases, with public access expected by 2030 and completion by 2040.
DIFC remains the region's only financial centre operating at scale across all business sectors, positioning DIFC Zabeel District as a dynamic destination for investors and residents alike.