Top 100 Arabs 2025

21. Essa Kazim

governor, DIFC

Origin: UAE

Residence: UAE

Sector: Finance

2024 Rank: 20

Essa Kazim is a pivotal figure driving the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC)remarkable growth. He has overseen a period of significant expansion, marked by a 25 per cent year-on-year increase in active companies, reaching 6,920 in 2024.

Under Kazim’s leadership, DIFC has achieved record financial results, with total revenue hitting Dhs1.78bn in 2024, a 37 per cent increase from the previous year. Operating profits also soared by 55 per cent to Dhs1.33bn. Notably, the centre recorded 1,823 new registrations in 2024, the highest annual figure to date.

Kazim’s strategic vision has positioned DIFC as a hub for innovation, particularly in technology and AI.

The launch of the Dubai AICampus and the Dubai AI licence has attracted numerous companies, contributing to a 38 per cent growth in the technology and innovation sector.

Beyond DIFC, Kazim serves as chairman of Borse Dubai and vice chairman of e&, solidifying his influence in the region’s financial and telecommunications sectors.

Lubna Suliman Olayan

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman