With an estimated development value exceeding AED100 billion ($27.2 billion), Dubai is scaling up its ambitions for the future of global finance. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched DIFC Zabeel District, a major expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre that will more than double its footprint and strengthen its position as the leading financial hub across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

Spanning 7.1 million square feet and delivering a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet, DIFC Zabeel District represents the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region. Once complete, it will support more than 42,000 companies, employ over 125,000 people, and dedicate more than one million square feet to future technologies and artificial intelligence.

“Dubai continues to enhance its status as a leading global business and finance hub by launching landmark, futuristic projects that integrate business needs with a high quality of life,” Sheikh Mohammed said at the launch. He described Dubai as a city driven by urgency and ambition, one that actively builds the future rather than waiting for change.

The launch ceremony was held at the Zabeel site, adjacent to the existing DIFC Gate District, and was attended by senior members of Dubai’s leadership, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as government officials and industry leaders.

Sheikh Mohammed said the Zabeel District marks a pivotal step in expanding Dubai’s financial sector and extending its global reach. The development will feature advanced spaces for business, innovation, education, and residential living, reinforcing DIFC’s role as a bridge between East and West and as a key driver of the emirate’s economy.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Maktoum said the project aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and place Dubai among the world’s top four financial centres. He described DIFC Zabeel District as a strategic platform for the next phase of global finance, built to support the rapid growth of financial services and technology firms while preserving a competitive and agile business environment.

Technology and innovation are central to the expansion. The district will host the world’s largest innovation hub and the first purpose-built AI Campus, designed to support more than 6,000 businesses and 30,000 technology professionals. A dedicated Gaming and Immersive Technologies Hub will further reinforce Dubai’s position in next-generation digital content, simulation, and creative industries.

Education will also be a key pillar. In line with Dubai’s Education 33 strategy, DIFC aims to establish itself as a leading hub for higher education by attracting global universities. The DIFC Academy will expand tenfold to 370,000 square feet, creating capacity for up to 50,000 learners each year.

Beyond business and technology, DIFC Zabeel District is being developed as an integrated urban destination. The masterplan includes commercial and residential developments, hotels, retail, cultural venues, and a first-of-its-kind art pavilion, alongside expansive green spaces designed to support wellbeing, biodiversity, and social connection. A central boulevard and signature bridge will seamlessly link the new district with the existing DIFC Gate District.

The project will be delivered in six phases, with the first phase already underway. DIFC Zabeel District is expected to open to the public in 2030, with full completion targeted for 2040. Through sustainable urban planning, advanced infrastructure, and strong regulatory foundations, the expansion signals DIFC’s evolution from a financial centre into a global platform where finance, technology, and quality of life intersect.