Alantra launches investment banking services in DIFC to expand global reach

By Delisha Fernandes

Alantra, an independent global mid-market financial services company, has opened a new office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), to provide investment banking services to its clients in the region.

Alantra’s move to the region is strategic, and DIFC will provide the firm with direct access to diverse trade and investment opportunities within emerging markets, as well as access to top talent from across the world. This will broaden the firm’s regional offering with a robust team of sector-specific experts.

“DIFC was a natural choice for Alantra when we decided to set up our investment banking activities in the Middle East, given Dubai’s strategic location, top-notch infrastructure, and availability of specialised talent,” said Saad Ashraf, SEO & Managing Partner of Alantra DIFC. “We have also domiciled and relocated a significant part of our global Marine & Shipping Investment banking sector team to DIFC in light of the region’s strong relevance for this growing sector. We believe that our specialisation in key sectors such as FIG, Consumer, Real Estate, Healthcare & Technology will add meaningful value to our clients’ strategic objectives.”

Alantra’s investment banking division provides independent advice on M&A, debt advisory, financial restructuring, and capital markets transactions, having advised on more than 650 deals for a total value of around €88.5 billion over the past four years.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority, added: “We welcome Alantra to Dubai and the region. Their decision to establish here underlines DIFC’s position as an attractive hub for international investment banks. Capitalising on our time zone advantage, supportive regulatory environment, and unparalleled access to top-tier talent, financial institutions like Alantra gain a significant competitive advantage in serving their clients and tapping into growth opportunities across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.”

DIFC is globally renowned for its position as the financial hub for the MEASA region. Its regulatory framework, dynamic ecosystem, and  infrastructure, make it an attractive destination for international firms such as Alantra, facilitating their expansion and connectivity with global markets.