Ghana is poised to become a leading force in Africa’s digital transformation following a landmark $1 billion agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a state-of-the-art innovation hub in Accra.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and the UAE’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), sets in motion plans to develop a 25-square-kilometer innovation campus in Ningo Prampram, Greater Accra. Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 with completion targeted by the end of 2027.
Under the deal, Ghana will provide the land, while PCFC will contribute funding, technology, and global partnerships. PCFC currently oversees over 11 innovation hubs worldwide, including in Dubai, and collaborates with major technology firms such as Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM. This hub marks PCFC’s first investment footprint in Africa, selecting Ghana for its strategic location and growing skilled youth population.
Sam George, Ghana’s Minister of Communication, highlighted how the project aligns with President Mahama’s vision to transform Ghana into Africa’s artificial intelligence nerve center, supported by the “One Million Coders” initiative. He emphasized that the innovation hub would provide employment opportunities for locally trained Ghanaian coders and foster emerging technology sectors like AI engineering, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, PCFC Group Chairman, stressed the pivotal role of innovation in national development and affirmed PCFC’s commitment to sustainable growth and job creation in Ghana.
The partnership underscores a mutual recognition that digital transformation is critical for Ghana’s economic future, positioning the country as a gateway for tech expansion across Africa.
