The UAE economy faces both tailwinds and subtle headwinds.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) projects real GDP growth of 4.4% in 2025 and 5.4% in 2026, with non-hydrocarbon GDP rising about 4.5% in both years.

DIFC is moving beyond a traditional financial centre to an innovative growth ecosystem. Licensing for fintech and digital finance is accelerating.

For international investors, confidence is rising as regulatory frameworks mature, improving market infrastructure and protections. Liquidity, however, remains uneven.