• Ghana plans to train one million coders over four years
• A new innovation hub is being developed in partnership with the UAE
• The project aims to grow tech exports and outsourcing service capacity

Ghana is accelerating its digital transformation by targeting the training of one million coders over the next four years, as part of a broader push to develop youth skills and enhance the country’s tech sector.

In partnership with the United Arab Emirates, the Ghanaian government plans to establish an innovation and technology hub to strengthen its capacity to export advanced technologies. The project also aims to improve Ghana’s position in Africa’s outsourcing market, which Genesis Analytics estimates could reach $35 billion by 2028.

On May 29, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and Presight AI. The planned hub will serve as a regional center for AI engineering, business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and data production for machine learning models tailored to Africa.

The Ministry said the hub is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs in the tech sector for Ghanaian youth and boost exports of advanced technology and value-added services.

According to Genesis Analytics’ April 2025 report Preparing for AI in the BPO and ITES Sector in Africa, Ghana’s outsourcing market was valued at $138.9 million in 2022. This remains far behind more developed markets such as South Africa ($5.2 billion), Egypt ($4.3 billion), Morocco ($2.9 billion), and Tunisia ($2.4 billion).

Africa’s outsourcing sector is projected to grow, driven by a young, tech-savvy workforce and competitive labor costs. Ghana’s coder training initiative, launched in April 2024, aligns with this trend.

The innovation hub project remains in its early phase. No timeline has yet been announced for a final agreement or the start of operations.