Post by : Bianca
Haleem
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has solidified its role as a premier global (re)insurance hub, reporting gross written premiums of USD 4.2 billion in 2025. This achievement signifies a notable growth rate of 20 percent year-on-year, underscoring the sector's dynamic expansion.
From 2022 onward, DIFC has seen its underwriting volumes double, highlighting its pivotal role in the booking, structuring, and underwriting of insurance services. Additionally, premiums brokered from DIFC rose to USD 3.4 billion in 2025, up from USD 3 billion the previous year, reflecting the ecosystem's burgeoning scale and robustness.
The notable increase can primarily be attributed to property and liability insurance, along with significant contributions from marine, aviation, and transport domains. DIFC continues to draw business not just from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region but also from various international markets.
Currently, over 135 insurance and reinsurance firms operate within the DIFC, encompassing underwriting, broking, captive management, and specialized risk transfer services.
Between 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, the DIFC authorized 28 new insurance-related firms. Notable additions 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.
Simultaneously, several major global insurance players have expanded their presence within DIFC, including Gallagher Re Ltd, Markel International Dubai Limited, MENA Re Underwriters Limited, and Manulife Middle East Limited, demonstrating robust confidence in DIFC as a long-term business hub.
DIFC stands out as the only financial center in the region capable of operating at scale across all financial services. With a strong regulatory framework and a stable environment, it fosters innovation within the insurance sector.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, remarked that the growth of this sector reflects the global trust in DIFC as a premier location for advanced risk transfer and underwriting services. He further stated that DIFC is committed to attracting international stakeholders while fostering sustainable growth in both local and global market arenas.
Dubai has now positioned itself among the world's top 10 financial centers for insurance, further cementing DIFC's status as a leading global hub for insurance and reinsurance.
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