PCFC and Ghana to establish economic zone, digital incubator

The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and Government of Ghana have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Ghana’s first economic zone and digital incubator in Accra.

The initiative aims to accelerate the country’s transformation into a regional technology powerhouse, attracting investment into West Africa.

The MoU was signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of PCFC, and Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation.

Under the agreement, a 25 square kilometre area in Accra will be allocated to PCFC for the development of the economic zone. PCFC will lead the zone’s operations and attract global technology firms, facilitating investment and business expansion.

The MoU also includes joint efforts to establish digital infrastructure and property development within the zone.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem affirmed that PCFC’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s global outreach and sharing Dubai’s pioneering experience in innovation and economic development. “This initiative underscores our strategic relationships worldwide and reinforces PCFC’s role as a key contributor to Dubai’s knowledge and innovation-based economy. We are focused on launching cutting-edge projects that promote sustainable growth, invest in human capital and advanced technology, to cement Dubai’s status as a global hub for smart technologies and digital transformation.’’

He also expressed his appreciation for the Government of Ghana’s trust in PCFC’s expertise and its warm reception of the initiative. “This smart economic zone, combining innovation, technology, and logistics, will foster commercial growth and strengthen Ghana’s industrial and technological infrastructure.’’

Samuel Nartey George stated that the partnership will significantly bolster Ghana’s economic position, transforming it into a regional technology hub in Africa.

“This initiative aligns with Ghana’s vision for digital transformation and sustainable economic growth. The zone will play a pivotal role in attracting global businesses and talent, positioning Accra as a destination of choice on the international stage.”

In February, The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and Cordiant Capital, a global investor in infrastructure and real assets, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance their strategic collaboration to strengthen Dubai’s agriculture value chain and bolster its food security initiatives.

Under the terms of the MoU, both parties will work together to explore opportunities to optimise end-to-end agricultural value chains from origin-producing countries to Dubai through infrastructure investments, strategic trade corridors, and supply chain solutions.

The MoU was signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Cédric Garnier-Landurie, Partner and Head of Agriculture Value Chain at Cordiant Capital, in a ceremony held at the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai. This partnership reinforces PCFC’s commitment to developing innovative logistics and supply chain solutions aligned with Dubai’s long-term vision for sustainable food security.

The collaboration between PCFC and Cordiant Capital paves the way for the two parties to cooperate in:

Building Next-Generation Cold Chain Networks: Implementing advanced cold-chain logistics systems that will maintain optimal freshness from farm to table, dramatically reducing food waste while ensuring consistent quality of perishable goods.

Enhancing Dubai’s Position as a Fresh Food Hub: Supporting Dubai’s goal of becoming a global hub for fresh food distribution by leveraging PCFC’s logistical capabilities and Cordiant’s investment expertise in agriculture supply chains.

Strategic Trade Corridors: Strengthening efficient, digitally enabled trade routes that optimize the movement of agricultural products while reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.

Advancing National Food Security: Supporting Dubai’s vision of becoming a leader in food security by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and cutting-edge supply chain solutions.

Technology and Innovation: Deploying advanced technologies including IoT sensors, AI-powered analytics, and blockchain-enabled tracking systems to create unprecedented visibility and efficiency across the entire supply chain.

These initiatives will support Dubai’s ambitious food security strategy, which aims to enhance the emirate’s agricultural self-sufficiency and diversify its food sources. The partnership leverages PCFC’s unparalleled logistics expertise and Cordiant Capital’s agricultural and infrastructure investment expertise to support fresh food supply chains in key markets.

WAM