His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today launched DIFC Zabeel District, a landmark expansion of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) that will consolidate its status as the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, while also reinforcing Dubai’s stature as the region’s preferred business and lifestyle destination.
DIFC Zabeel District is the largest demand-led expansion of a financial centre in the region, encompassing a massive site area of 7.1 million sq. ft and total gross floor area of 17.7million sq. ft. The estimated gross development value exceeds AED100 billion.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added, “DIFC Zabeel District is a key step towards advancing the financial sector in Dubai and worldwide. The new district will see DIFC surge in scale to accommodate over 42,000 companies, a workforce exceeding 125,000, and more than one million square feet of space dedicated to future technologies and AI. It will also offer state-of-the-art spaces for business, innovation, education, and residential living. DIFC is the pulsing heart of Dubai’s economy and the bridge connecting East and West. It is the nexus of investment and innovation.”
The DIFC Zabeel District expansion marks a bold new chapter for future technologies, with over 1 million sq.ft. being allocated to the world’s largest innovation hub and world’s first purpose-built AI Campus.
Tripling in scale, the Innovation Hub will anchor Dubai’s digital economy ambitions, along with a pioneering AI Campus. The facilities are being custom designed to meet the future needs of over 6,000 businesses and 30,000 tech specialists, enabling breakthroughs in AI development and commercial innovation. Complementing this, the District will include a Gaming & Immersive Technologies Hub to establish Dubai as a powerhouse for next generation gaming, simulation, and digital content creation.
In line with Dubai’s ambitious Education 33 (E33) strategy, DIFC will be positioned as the UAE’s leading hub for further education, and a leading global destination for higher education by attracting world class universities ranked among the top 25 in the QS World University Rankings.
The DIFC Academy will grow ten-fold to 370,000 sq.ft. creating a capacity for 50,000 learners annually.
The expansion will also feature a first-of-its-kind art pavilion deepening DIFC’s standing as Dubai’s home to art and culture. Specific sites will be designed for landmark pieces of art and architecture.
The DIFC Zabeel District will offer a mix of commercial and residential spaces anchored from a central boulevard, a conference centre, hotels, upscale retail offerings, and cutting-edge technology infrastructure.
The community’s uniquely curated open spaces will be filled with abundant levels of greenery and thriving biodiversity, underpinning healthier working, living and social connections. The design philosophy of the expansion revolves around fostering connectivity and easily accessible integrated living. Connected to the existing DIFC Gate District by a signature bridge, the new expansion will form a seamless continuation of DIFC’s institutional and urban fabric.
Consisting of six phases, DIFC Zabeel District is expected to welcome the public in 2030 with the masterplan expected to be complete in 2040. Work is now underway to prepare the first phase. The district’s prime location provides exceptional connectivity to key landmarks and infrastructure, whilst an integrated, continuous loop will promote wellness and connectivity. The expansion will facilitate access to futuristic transport.
Through meticulous urban planning including enhancements by the RTA to provide easy access, iconic architectural design, and deep commitment to sustainability, the DIFC Zabeel District provides a vibrant and inclusive hub for innovation, collaboration, creativity, excellence and growth.
