The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has launched its Business Plan for 2025-2026, which is titled ‘Advancing Regulatory Excellence and Innovation’.
The plan falls in line with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, Digital Dubai, and the DIFC 2030 Strategy. It highlights the DFSA’s vision to solidify the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) status as a leading global financial services hub and outlines key priorities in advancing regulatory excellence, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
The Plan revolves around four key strategic themes:
Delivery – Ensuring that the regulatory framework remains effective and responsive to the rapidly evolving needs of the financial sector.
Engagement – Bolstering relationships with stakeholders and promoting a collaborative approach across the industry.
Innovation – Adopting cutting-edge technology to enhance operations and keep DIFC at the forefront of the global financial landscape.
Sustainability – Supporting initiatives that drive long-term economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Fadel Al Ali Chairman – DFSA
“Our Business Plan for 2025-2026 underscores our dedication to maintaining international standards and best practices. By enhancing our regulatory frameworks and embracing digital transformation, we aim to support the DIFC’s growth and contribute to the prosperity of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. This Plan is a testament to our forward-thinking approach as we navigate the evolving financial landscape.”
Key priorities for 2025-2026 include:
Enhancing risk-based regulation: The business plan focuses on enhancing the DFSA’s risk-based regulatory approach, facilitating innovation, reinforcing alignment with international regulatory standards, participating actively in international regulatory standard-setting bodies, engaging with the regulated community, and collaborating closely with authorities in Dubai and the UAE.
Innovation and technology at the core: As technology advances at an unprecedented rate, the DFSA will continue to adapt its regulatory framework to address emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech while safeguarding market integrity. Initiatives such as the Innovation Testing License and enhancements to regulatory sandboxes highlight the DFSA’s dedication to fostering innovation.
Combatting financial crime and enhancing cyber resilience: This remains as a key priority for the DFSA. The Business Plan outlines continued collaboration with federal authorities to implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and enhance its financial crime prevention measures. Additionally, the DFSA aims to elevate cybersecurity resilience within the DIFC, with plans to expand the Threat Intelligence Platform internationally, contributing to global cyber cooperation and protection.
Investing in talent and culture: The DFSA remains committed to building a resilient, agile organisation, and will continue to invest in its people and culture, introducing initiatives to attract and nurture talent, with an emphasis on cultivating Emirati professionals. This ensures that the DFSA’s workforce remains future-ready and equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Ian Johnston, Chief Executive of the DFSA, added that, “We are committed to ensuring that the DIFC thrives as an international center for financial services. Our Business Plan emphasizes agility, collaboration, proportionate enforcement, a streamlined and transparent licensing process, and regulatory excellence, which are all vital to navigating an ever-evolving global financial landscape.”
