Ghana and UAE sign an MoU to establish a technology and AI innovation hub

Ghana and the UAE signed an MoU to establish a technology and innovations hub to boost Ghana’s digital evolution as a center for AI and emerging tech. Also present to witness the signing were officials of the UAE’s mission in the country.

Ghana and the UAE closed the $1B deal in Ningo, Greater Accra, on May 29th by the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel George, on behalf of Ghana and the Chairman of the Dubai PCFC, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, on behalf of the Middle Eastern nation. The signing ceremony was witnessed by top officials from Ghana and the UAE, including the UAE Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Almandoos, and the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Simon Madjie. Hon. George, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, described the partnership as an ambition grounded in mutual respect and built on a shared understanding.

The “Ghana-UAE Innovations and Technology Hub” initiative was led by UAE’s Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). The PCFC fully funded the initial phase of the one billion dollar project in partnership with AI firms behind Dubai’s AI transformation. It will involve the development of a 25 Km2 site in Ningo-Prampram, with the government providing the land for the initiative.

Global ICT giants and ‘enabled businesses’ to set up African HQs at the hub

🔹 Purpose of the Initiative:

Transform Ghana into a regional technology and innovation hub.

Attract foreign investment and foster economic growth across West Africa.

Support startups, entrepreneurs, and digital infrastructure development.

📌 The project reflects Dubai’s…

— Dubai | دبي (@dubai) June 2, 2025

Hon. George said the initiative, also known as the “Ningo Tech Gateway,” would see global ICT giants and enabled businesses take residence in the hub as their African HQs. It will feature AI laboratories, innovation hubs, and data centers powered by renewable energy sources. The Minister added that the partnership spoke to the vision of H.E. President JD Mahama and the potential that his “One Million Coders Program” held for Ghanaians.

Member of Parliament for Asunafo North Haruna Mohammed said the hub will drive AI engineering, business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and Africa-focused machine learning. The initiative is expected to attract over 11K global tech firms, including Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, IBM, and Alphabet, who are seeking to expand their presence in the country and across the continent, creating unprecedented opportunities for economic growth and job creation. 

Hon. Mohammed believes that Ghanaian youths will benefit from training and employment opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, data protection, and other high-demand digital skills. He added that the initiative will help cultivate a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who will develop solutions tailored to local needs while competing globally.

“For my constituents, this initiative is a beacon of hope, offering a future where our brightest minds can find opportunity in their own backyard, contributing to a digital renaissance led by Ghanaians for Ghanaians.”

–Hon. Haruna Mohammed, MP for Asunafo North

Hon. Mohammed also reiterated that the initiative reflected Hon. George’s unwavering commitment to advancing President Mahama’s vision of diversifying Ghana’s economy through innovation and inclusive development. 

Sultan Sulayem says implementing and scaling ideas defines national wealth

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who also serves as the Chairman and CEO of DP World, stated that national wealth in today’s world is defined by the ability to generate, implement, and scale ideas. He cited Apple, which turned a simple concept into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, stressing the power of ideas, engineering, and innovation. 

Sultan Sulayem highlighted the global shift toward automation and AI, explaining that the role of people had evolved from manual labor to high-value design, problem-solving, and supply chain management. He used examples from DP World’s fully automated port in Rotterdam and its integrated logistics operations in over 70 countries, emphasizing that jobs were not being lost but transformed–workers now managed smarter processes and customer relationships. 

The DP World CEO also said Ghana was set to become a major production and distribution hub in West Africa. He pointed out that global supply chains were strained, and companies were looking to produce goods closer to their markets.

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