Ghana is set to become a leading force in Africa’s digital economy with the launch of a $1 billion innovation hub, funded entirely by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corp. (PCFC), a government-owned entity of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reports People of Color in Tech (POCIT).
The outlet shares that the project, scheduled to break ground next year, will be constructed on a 9.7-square-mile site in Ningo Prampram, situated in the Greater Accra Region. Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of 2027.
A Major Step Toward Africa’s AI Future
Sam George, Ghana’s minister of communication, digital technology, and innovation, stated that the initiative directly supports President John Mahama’s national vision of positioning the country as Africa’s next hub for artificial intelligence (AI) through the One Million Coders program.
Launched in April 2025, the program aims to equip Ghanaian youth with software development skills to help close the country’s digital gap and prepare the workforce for a tech-driven future, according to a press release from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
The participation of PCFC is a key factor in making that vision a reality. George told Impact Newswire the organization will bring a network of more than 11,000 companies from the UAE to invest and operate in Ghana.
UAE’s PCFC Brings Proven Innovation Model To Ghana
PCFC, which played a pivotal part in Dubai, UAE’s digital transformation, currently operates more than 11 innovation hubs in collaboration with global technology leaders, including Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM, according to POCIT. Its expansion into Ghana marks the organization’s first major venture in Africa.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project is a long-term partnership aimed at growing local talent, strengthening Ghana’s tech capabilities, and creating thousands of jobs.
The upcoming Ghana innovation hub is expected to attract major players in business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing, AI engineering, and other emerging technologies, according to POCIT.
