Ghana has signed a landmark agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a $1 billion technology and innovation hub aimed at transforming the West African nation into a regional leader in artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
The deal, signed in Accra on Thursday, will see the development of the “Ghana-UAE Innovations and Technology Hub” in Ningo-Prampram, a coastal district just outside Accra. The UAE’s Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) is fully funding the ambitious project, which is expected to attract over 11,000 global tech firms, including household names like Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and IBM.
“This is more than a business agreement. It’s a shared vision—a bold ambition grounded in mutual respect,” said Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, who signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of the government.
Speaking passionately at the ceremony, Mr George, who also serves as Member of Parliament for the host constituency, Ningo-Prampram, described the initiative as a game-changer.
“It’s about building a nation where our brightest minds no longer look outwards for opportunity but see it in their own backyards,” he said.
The initial phase of the hub will span 25 square kilometres, with the Ghanaian government providing the land. The site is expected to become a base for AI engineering, business and knowledge process outsourcing, and the development of Africa-centric machine learning systems.
The new hub forms a key part of President John Dramani Mahama’s digital transformation agenda and his broader vision to diversify the economy through innovation.
“This isn’t just about data centres and digital infrastructure,” Mr George added. “It’s about unleashing creativity, attracting global investment, and enabling Ghanaian youth to lead Africa’s digital future.”
He also noted how the initiative complements Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme, an effort to equip one million young people with skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data governance.
Representing the UAE was Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the PCFC and CEO of global logistics giant DP World. He praised Ghana’s strategic location and growing talent pool, positioning the country as a future production and distribution powerhouse for the continent.
“In today’s world, national wealth isn’t measured in oil or gold, but in ideas. And Ghana has them,” Mr Bin Sulayem said, adding that the project would help Ghana plug directly into global supply chains and lead in smart logistics, automation, and AI innovation.
Drawing comparisons to DP World’s fully automated port in Rotterdam, he highlighted how automation is not eliminating jobs, but transforming them, shifting workers into higher-value roles in design, systems management, and customer solutions.
The signing ceremony brought together key government agencies, UAE embassy officials, and local tech leaders. It was a moment rich with symbolism, pointing to a shift in Africa’s place within the global tech ecosystem.
“Today, Ghana isn’t just catching up with the digital age—we are helping to shape it,” Mr George concluded.
