DIFC Expansion: Zabeel District Phase One to See Dh20 Billion Investment by 2030

Saturday, 7 February 2026

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced that Phase One of the landmark Zabeel District will be developed at an investment value of Dh20 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading global financial and innovation hub.

Key Highlights:

Phase One of the Zabeel District will be completed between 2029 and 2030.
The first phase will span approximately 3.7 million sq ft of gross floor area.
Total development value for Phase One is estimated at Dh20 billion.
The project will feature premium office spaces and iconic buildings shaping DIFC’s future skyline.
Dedicated facilities include an AI Campus and a world-class art gallery.
DIFC Academy will expand to around 370,000 sq ft.
Funding will be primarily supported through DIFC’s internal resources and future cash flows.
Additional funding options include bank financing or sukuk, if required.
Gate District’s three towers, valued at Dh8.5 billion, are expected to be fully internally funded.
DIFC added 2,525 new registered companies in 2025, taking the total to 8,844.
New company registrations surpassed 2,000 for the first time in DIFC’s history.
Net profit increased by 28% to Dh1.48 billion in 2025.
Combined revenues rose 20% to Dh2.13 billion, reflecting strong operational performance.
Total assets reached Dh21.2 billion by the end of 2025.
The wider Zabeel District masterplan will cover 17 million sq ft and support 125,000 jobs.
Innovation, FinTech, and AI now contribute around 20% of DIFC’s business ecosystem.
A dedicated innovation and AI space of nearly 1 million sq ft has already been allocated.