The governments of Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, May 29, signed a landmark US$1 billion Innovation Hub deal.

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Minister of Communications, Digitalisation, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, on behalf of the Ghanaian government, signed the agreement after three months of behind-the-scenes work.

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According to the sector minister in a post on X, the agreement "would see a number of global ICT giants and enabled businesses take residence in the hub as their African HQs."

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Mr George revealed that the partnership aligns with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama and the potential the One Million Coders Programme holds for Ghanaians.

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He extended immense appreciation and gratitude to the Ambassador of the UAE to Ghana, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Almandoos, for helping make this happen in record time.

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On May 13, Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the arrival of United Arab Emirates companies in the country to invest in sectors such as renewable energy, AI, education, health, aviation, and defense.

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Mr Ablakwa made this known after responding positively to a special invitation from the government of the United Arab Emirates to pay a two-day official visit to the country.

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During his two-day visit, he held constructive meetings with Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, the ministers of Foreign Trade, Investment, and captains of industry.

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Discussions also focused on labour export for Ghanaian youth to the UAE and technical support for a new national airline.

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The Foreign Minister has noted that massive job openings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon be announced for the Ghanaian youth when both countries finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations.

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President Mahama's 8-pillar strategy to transform Ghana

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One of the pillars of the president's plan to transform the country's economy is  a Regional Hub for Trade and Investment

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Ghana aims to become West Africa’s premier commercial, transport, and digital services hub.

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Key sectors such as port expansion, financial services, healthcare, education, and industrial corridors will be strengthened to connect local businesses with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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President John Dramani Mahama has encouraged young Ghanaians to take charge of the One Million Coders programme and use it as a stepping stone into the world of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital opportunity.

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The president positioned the youth not simply as recipients of the programme but as key drivers of Ghana’s digital transformation.

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The initiative launched on April 16 this year seeks to provide one million Ghanaians with essential digital and coding skills.

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