Nomura Opens Larger Wealth Management Office in Dubai's DIFC

Nomura has opened new premises for its International Wealth Management business in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking the next phase of its expansion in the Middle East and underscoring its long-term commitment to the region.

The move follows the launch of Nomura's Dubai wealth management office in 2023. Since then, the business has grown steadily, supported by investment expertise from Nomura Singapore Limited and the hiring of senior relationship managers with regional experience. The new premises are intended to accommodate a growing local team and support broader client coverage.

Nomura initially established its Dubai platform to serve the South Asian diaspora across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), a segment characterised by rising cross-border wealth and increasingly complex investment needs. According to the firm, this focus provided a foundation for early growth and helped validate demand for its international wealth management offering in the region.

As the Dubai operation matures, Nomura plans to expand its client base to include local high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, single family offices, and external asset managers across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This shift reflects changing regional wealth dynamics, with family offices and professional asset managers seeking global investment access alongside local advisory support.

The expansion also highlights DIFC's role as a regional hub for international financial institutions operating across MEASA. The centre offers a globally recognised regulatory framework and proximity to regional capital and decision-makers.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said Nomura's expansion reflects both the firm's growth trajectory and Dubai's appeal to global institutions. "As the leading global financial hub in MEASA, DIFC provides the ideal platform for international institutions to strengthen their operations and capture new regional opportunities," he said.

Ravi Raju, Head of International Wealth Management at Nomura, emphasised the importance of local presence. "We have seen high growth with our on-the-ground presence here in a short span of time," he said, adding that the larger office will support team expansion and client servicing.

Nomura's investment in new DIFC premises comes amid broader growth in Middle Eastern private wealth, driven by intergenerational wealth transfer, increased international diversification, and demand for more sophisticated advisory and structuring services. The firm's expanded footprint positions it to compete more actively for regional wealth management mandates as Dubai continues to attract global financial players.