Figures for 2025 show DIFC saw a 20% annual rise in gross written premiums as global insurers and reinsurers expanded regional presence
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has reported its gross written premiums reached $4.2bn in 2025, up 20% year-on-year.
The results show the Middle East hub continued to attract international insurers, reinsurers and brokers.
The financial centre said underwriting volumes doubled since 2022, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a platform for regional and international risks.
Premiums brokered from DIFC also increased to more than $3.4bn in 2025, compared with $3bn the previous year.
The centre said growth in property and liability business was a major contributor to performance, alongside marine, aviation and transport lines.
DIFC said it hosts more than 135 insurance and reinsurance firms spanning underwriting, broking, captive management and specialist risk transfer activities across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.
The centre authorised 28 new insurance-related firms during 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
New entrants in 2025 included Allianz Trade Middle East, Atradius Trade Credit (Re)Insurance (DIFC), BMS (DIFC), Howden Reinsurance Brokers Limited (DIFC Branch), Manulife Middle East, QIC (DIFC), Ryan Specialty (DIFC), Sun Life (DIFC) and Transamerica Life (Bermuda).
DIFC also said several international market participants had expanded their local footprint in the past year, including Gallagher Re, Manulife Middle East, Markel International Dubai and MENA Re Underwriters.
The centre said its growth reflected demand for specialist underwriting and risk transfer capabilities across the wider Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, as well as business sourced from international markets.
His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: “DIFC’s insurance and reinsurance sector continued to gain global relevance, with gross written premiums advancing to $4.2bn in 2025 generated through diverse ecosystem of more than 135 firms.
“This growth reflects the confidence international markets place in DIFC as a jurisdiction that enables sophisticated risk transfer, underwriting and innovation. With Dubai ranked among the top 10 financial centres globally for insurance, DIFC remains focused on deepening market capacity, attracting long-term institutional players, and supporting sustainable growth across regional and international markets,” he added.
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