DUBAI, Jan 28 (GDM) — Dubai’s ruler on Tuesday launched the DIFC Zabeel District, a major expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre aimed at reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, unveiled the project at a ceremony near the existing DIFC Gate District in Zabeel.
The expansion is the largest demand-driven financial centre development in the region, covering a site area of 7.1 million square feet with a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet. Officials said the estimated development value exceeds 100 billion dirhams ($27 billion).
Sheikh Mohammed said the project reflects Dubai’s ambition to combine global business leadership with a high quality of life, making the city a preferred destination for companies and skilled professionals.
Under the plan, DIFC will more than double its capacity to host over 42,000 companies and a workforce exceeding 125,000. More than one million square feet will be dedicated to future technologies and artificial intelligence, alongside commercial, residential, education and innovation spaces.
The DIFC Zabeel District will include what officials described as the world’s largest innovation hub and the first purpose-built AI campus. The facilities are designed to support more than 6,000 businesses and 30,000 technology specialists, with a focus on artificial intelligence, digital innovation, gaming and immersive technologies.
The development also aligns with Dubai’s long-term economic strategies, including the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033, which aims to double the emirate’s economy over the next decade.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s first deputy ruler and UAE finance minister, said the project would strengthen Dubai’s regulatory and infrastructure framework, supporting continued growth in financial and technology sectors.
Officials said the expansion would also position DIFC as a hub for higher education, with plans to attract leading global universities and significantly expand the DIFC Academy, increasing capacity to 50,000 learners annually.
In addition, the district will feature cultural and lifestyle elements, including an art pavilion, public green spaces, hotels, retail areas and a central boulevard. The new district will be connected to the existing DIFC by a signature bridge, creating a seamless extension of the financial centre.
The DIFC Zabeel District will be developed in six phases. Authorities expect it to open to the public in 2030, with full completion targeted for 2040.