GCTU has welcomed a high-powered delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for preliminary discussions on strategic collaboration on Friday, October 3, 2025.
The visit, which was facilitated by GCTU-Infinity Tech Limited (GiTL), the existing technology partnership between GCTU and Infinity RK Ltd, was meant to explore areas of collaboration to transform the University into a major hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship in West Africa.
The delegation, led by a Senior Government Advisor and businessman, His Excellency Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al Marzooqi, was in Ghana for investment meetings with government officials on advancing digital infrastructure. Their visit to GCTU formed part of efforts by GiTL to explore practical avenues for supporting the University’s digitalization agenda and nurturing the next generation of African technology entrepreneurs.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, outlined the University’s vision to position itself as the premier digital technology hub for the entire West African sub-region, comparable to Silicon Valley in the United States. He highlighted GCTU’s mandate to provide cutting-edge ICT education and to serve as a catalyst for digital transformation across multiple sectors in Ghana and beyond.
Presentation of Digital Hub Initiatives
A key highlight of the visit was a comprehensive presentation by the consultant on the GCTU-Infinity project, Dr. K. R. Raman Babu. His presentation covered a wide range of opportunities for collaboration between the UAE and GCTU, notably the development of data centres, incubators, and start-up workspaces on campus to support innovation and entrepreneurship.
He revealed that UAE’s Port Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) has already signed an agreement to develop a US$1 billion Innovation and Technology Hub in Ghana beginning in 2026, with completion targeted for 2027. The project is designed to make Ghana the digital and investment hub of the West African sub-region. GCTU, he proposed, should play a pivotal role by hosting digital infrastructure, including a data centre that would support government e-services, library digitization, and incubation programmes.
Dr. Babu also outlined multiple opportunities, ranging from fintech, edutech, AI, IoT, and robotics, to agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and property tech, where UAE partnerships could accelerate innovation. He emphasized the need for seed funding and venture capital partnerships to enable students and start-ups to move from ideation to commercialization.
“We are creating GCTU as a knowledge hub for generations. With the UAE’s support, we can build digital ecosystems, innovation hubs, and training programmes that will make Ghana a strategic technology gateway for Africa,” he explained.
Focus on Data Centres, Research, and Job Pathways
The UAE delegation expressed strong interest in collaborating on the establishment of a state-of-the-art data centre at GCTU, which would serve as a backbone for broader digitalization initiatives. They proposed follow-up technical meetings between their strategic teams and GCTU’s core ICT experts to develop concrete proposals.
The delegation also highlighted opportunities for research collaboration, academic publishing, and the integration of international faculty and learning platforms, particularly in fields such as medical education and blockchain technology.
H.E. Al Marzooqi raised a critical point about graduate employability, urging GCTU to complement its entrepreneurship initiatives with structured pathways for graduates to gain international work experience.
“You are making them ready for a job. But where is the job? We need some kind of MOU with your university so that once students graduate, their CVs can be submitted to us for employment opportunities in the UAE. This gives them experience and independence, and when they return, they can contribute to their country’s development.”
He further emphasized the importance of discipline, national values, and structured training as integral components of education, drawing on UAE’s own experience of embedding “nationalism” as a core subject from an early age.
During an interview after the meeting, Dr. Babu shared additional insights about the purpose and objectives of the meeting.
He noted that the UAE views Ghana as a strategic and friendly partner in West Africa, making it a prime location for investment in digital infrastructure.
He confirmed that His Excellency had expressed willingness to begin collaboration on two immediate initiatives:
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Graduate employment opportunities in the UAE, targeting skilled Ghanaian students trained to global standards.
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Development of data centres and digital hubs at GCTU, with the UAE ready to explore funding and partnership models.
“The Vice-Chancellor has a long-term vision to make GCTU a regional ICT powerhouse. The UAE is now ready to support that vision through step-by-step collaboration, starting with jobs for students and data centre development,” Dr. Babu said.
About GCTU-Infinity Tech Limited (GiTL)
GCTU-Infinity Tech Limited (GiTL) was established in 2022 through a partnership between GCTU and Infinity RK Ltd. Headquartered on the GCTU campus in Accra, GiTL serves as a technology company dedicated to driving digital transformation across government and private sectors. Its mission is to support business modernization and promote a data-driven economy by combining educational research, skills development, and ICT service delivery. Through this initiative, GCTU aims to strengthen its role as a central player in Ghana’s and Africa’s digitalization agenda.
