Gross written premium (GWP) at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), has increased by 20% year-on-year and will reach US$4.2 billion by 2025.
Additionally, DIFC brokerage premiums will exceed $3.4 billion in 2025, up 14% from $3.0 billion in 2024.
Additionally, underwriting volumes have doubled since 2022, underscoring the industry’s continued progress and DIFC’s role as a booking, structuring and underwriting hub.
Growth in the property and liability business was a key driver of this outstanding performance, supported by other lines such as marine, aviation and transportation, the center explained.
Currently, more than 135 insurance and reinsurance companies operate in DIFC, supporting underwriting, brokerage, captive management and professional risk transfer activities in the MEASA region and other markets, highlighting its ability to access re/insurance opportunities globally.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DIFC Authority, commented: “DIFC’s insurance and reinsurance industry continues to gain global reach, with total written premiums set to increase to US$4.2 billion in 2025 through a diverse ecosystem of more than 135 companies.
“This growth reflects the international market’s confidence in DIFC as a jurisdiction capable of complex risk transfer, underwriting and innovation. As Dubai ranks among the top ten insurance financial centers in the world, DIFC remains committed to deepening market capacity, attracting long-term institutional players and supporting sustainable growth in regional and international markets.”
A total of 28 new insurance-related companies were authorized in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, representing significant growth in the ecosystem.
These include Allianz Trade Middle East Limited, Atradius Trade Credit (Re)Insurance (DIFC) Ltd., BMS (DIFC) Limited, Howden Reinsurance Brokers Limited (DIFC Branch), Manulife Middle East Limited, QIC (DIFC) Limited, Ryan Specialty (DIFC) Limited, Sun Life (DIFC) Limited and Transamerica Life (Bermuda) Ltd.
Companies deepening their presence in the center include Gallagher Re Ltd and Manulife Middle East.
