According to Nagham Hassan, MENA Market Analyst at eToro, the standing of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as top global financial hubs mirrors the United Arab Emirates’ sustained commitment to infrastructure, regulatory frameworks and human capital.
In the September 2026 release of the Global Financial Centres Index, Dubai is positioned at number nine worldwide and Abu Dhabi at number thirteen, while both rank first and second in the Middle East and Africa region. Abu Dhabi advanced eight spots, and Dubai maintained its place inside the global top ten.
“These rankings reflect years of work to make the UAE an attractive place for financial institutions to operate, invest and recruit,” said Hassan. “Having two cities among the world’s leading financial centers strengthens the country’s ability to attract international business and supports growth across the wider economy.”
A ninth-place standing places Dubai alongside other major financial hubs such as New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Even though the city fell two slots from seventh, its core score rose, suggesting heightened rivalry among top centres.
“Dubai’s lower position should be viewed alongside the improvement in its score,” Hassan said. “Other centres have advanced faster, but Dubai continues to strengthen its offering. Its established infrastructure, international talent pool and financial services sector remain important advantages.”
The upward movement of Abu Dhabi signals an expanding institutional footprint. The eight-spot jump coincides with foreign asset managers setting up and enlarging their activities in the emirate.
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The Abu Dhabi Global Market disclosed a 54% rise in assets under management compared with the previous year for the first half of 2026. Notable firms that opened, initiated or grew operations in that timeframe were Bain Capital, Barings, Hillhouse Investment, Rokos Capital Management and Man Group.
“The growing presence of international fund managers shows how global institutions view Abu Dhabi’s long-term potential,” Hassan said. “These firms bring expertise, capital and business activity, helping to deepen the financial sector and create opportunities beyond it.”
These advantages reach past the finance sector. When firms set up offices and enlarge staff, they generate jobs, boost demand for commercial and residential real estate, and stimulate activity in professional service fields.
Geopolitical volatility in the region continues to shape short-term market mood. Nonetheless, Hassan observes that the ongoing growth of foreign financial institutions indicates confidence in the UAE’s longer-run standing.
“Short-term market sentiment remains sensitive to developments in the region, but institutions make expansion decisions over a much longer horizon,” Hassan added. “If geopolitical tensions ease, the UAE’s growing financial sector and ability to attract international business could provide further support for investor confidence and local markets.”
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