Gulf Hubs Gain Ground in Global Financial Index Despite Conflict

The latest edition of the Global Financial Centers Index reveals that the major Gulf financial hubs have maintained and even strengthened their global standing, despite the backdrop of regional conflict. According to the report, Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi all registered measurable gains in their rankings, indicating that investor confidence in these centers remains robust.

Riyadh recorded the most significant movement, climbing 15 places to secure the 46th position globally. Abu Dhabi advanced eight spots to reach 13th, while Dubai retained a top-10 status at ninth, despite a slight dip of two places. These figures suggest that the region's financial infrastructure is withstanding geopolitical pressures effectively.

Riyadh leads regional rank gains

Riyadh’s jump in the index was the fifth-largest among all 117 centers surveyed, trailing only Copenhagen, Ho Chi Minh City, Oslo, and Mexico City. The Saudi capital also saw a 25-point increase in its rating, outpacing the gains recorded by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This surge aligns with recent regulatory moves, such as the opening of the main market to foreign investors in February, which is expected to enhance long-term liquidity.

Furthermore, the city has exceeded its target for the Regional Headquarters Program, with over 750 companies joining the initiative well ahead of the 2030 deadline. Major international banks, including Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley, have secured licenses to operate in the kingdom, underscoring a shift in global financial infrastructure toward the Gulf.

Dubai maintains gateway status

While Dubai slipped slightly in overall ranking, analysts attribute this to competitors gaining ground rather than domestic weakness. The city remains the leading global hub for fintech and ranks second for professional services. The Dubai International Financial Centre reported 10,000 active firms in the first half of 2026, a 30% year-on-year increase, reflecting sustained institutional interest.

Hamza Dweik, head of trading for the Middle East and North Africa at Saxo Bank, noted that the region is becoming more complementary than competitive. He emphasized that the underlying capital flows supporting Dubai’s score are likely to continue compounding, as hedge funds and family offices make multi-year strategic decisions to establish presence in the city.

Future growth outlook for Gulf centers

The index projects continued significance for these hubs, ranking Dubai first among centers likely to grow in importance over the next two to three years. Abu Dhabi and Riyadh follow at fourth and sixth places, respectively. However, experts caution that the true test for Riyadh is not merely the number of registered offices, but whether firms begin making substantive investment decisions from the city rather than using it solely as a registration base.

According to EnterpriseAM, the broader Middle East and Africa region saw its rankings improve by 0.82%, slightly outpacing the global average of 0.8%. As traders watch for signs of trade progress in upcoming US-China summits, the resilience of Gulf financial markets remains a key indicator of regional economic stability and long-term investment appeal.

Riyadh leads regional ranking improvements

The latest data confirms that Riyadh has posted significant ranking improvements, jumping fifteen places to secure the 46th spot globally. This movement marks one of the most notable gains among the 117 centers tracked, underscoring the Saudi capital’s growing influence in the financial sector.

This surge aligns with the broader performance of the Gulf region, where Dubai and Abu Dhabi also maintained strong positions. The collective upward trajectory suggests that these markets are effectively managing the pressures of the ongoing regional conflict, with Riyadh’s progress serving as a key indicator of the sector's resilience.