DIFC welcomes Oak Hill Advisors (OHA) following DFSA regulatory approval to establish in Dubai

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today announced that Oak Hill Advisors (OHA) a leading global credit-focused alternative investment firm, has received regulatory authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This follows OHA becoming the 100th hedge fund manager to be registered by the DIFC Authority, in late 2025.

With approximately USD 112 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026, OHA’s expansion into Dubai underscores the growing global significance of DIFC as the region’s preferred hub for alternative investment firms, asset managers, and financial institutions seeking access to regional and international markets.

DIFC is home to the region’s largest cluster of wealth and asset management firms, and continues to attract the world’s leading investment firms as a result of its world-class legal and regulatory framework, deep talent pool, and strategic geographic position connecting East and West.

Declan Tiernan, Partner and Head of EMEA Client Coverage at OHA said: “Establishing an office in the GCC marks an important milestone in OHA’s continuing growth in a region where we have developed many significant partnerships over time. The DIFC offers a sophisticated financial ecosystem, a strong regulatory framework, and strategic access to investors and opportunities across the Middle East and beyond. We look forward to expanding our already meaningful presence in the region and continuing to bring our differentiated credit investment capabilities and long-term partnership approach to regional investors and stakeholders.”

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority said: “OHA’s decision to establish its presence in DIFC further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global financial hub and a destination of choice for the world’s foremost alternative investment firms. OHA joins a rapidly expanding ecosystem of global asset managers and credit specialists operating from DIFC, reflecting continued confidence in our regulatory environment, infrastructure, and ability to support the evolving needs of the global investment community.”

OHA manages a broad range of credit strategies across private credit, leveraged loans, high yield bonds, stressed and distressed debt, collateralised loan obligations, and multi-strategy credit investing, supported by more than 30 years of experience across global credit markets.

DIFC continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of finance in the region by attracting world-class institutions, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable economic growth. Driven by DIFC initiatives, Dubai is currently ranked 7th in the world as a global financial centre and 6th for investment management.