GIPC backs $1bn UAE tech hub to boost Ghana’s digital economy

CEO of GIPC Simon Madjie and Dr. Abdulla Almandoos [M] after signing the MoU in Accra

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Simon Madjie, has endorsed the proposed $1 billion Innovation and Technology Hub by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), describing it as a major step forward in positioning Ghana as a digital and investment hub in the West African sub-region.

Speaking in Accra at a strategic meeting with the UAE Ambassador to Ghana, Dr. Abdulla Almandoos, Mr Madjie said the initiative would not only strengthen bilateral economic cooperation but also drive Ghana’s long-term ambitions in the digital economy.

“This initiative can accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation and position the country as a hub for technological excellence in the region,” he stated.

The ambitious project, fully funded by the UAE’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC), is scheduled to commence in 2026 and reach completion by the end of 2027. Ghana will provide the land for the development, while PCFC will lead the financing, construction, and management of the facility.

The Innovation and Technology Hub is expected to house a range of facilities, including data centres, incubators, co-working spaces, and infrastructure to support start-ups and established technology firms.

It is anticipated to become a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI) into Ghana’s digital and knowledge economy.

Mr. Madjie noted that the GIPC would play a facilitative role in attracting global investors and ensuring the initiative aligns with Ghana’s development goals under the Ghana Digital Economy Policy.

For his part, Ambassador Almandoos underscored the mutual benefits of the project and encouraged regional telecom and tech firms to consider establishing operations within the hub.

He indicated that companies based at the hub could also gain access to UAE-issued licenses, potentially enabling them to scale their operations across international markets.

“This Ghana-UAE Innovation and Technology Hub aims to drive sustainable growth, foster collaboration, and boost innovation across various sectors,” Ambassador Almandoos noted.