DHL announced today the formal opening of its expanded Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa in Dubai, a step that reinforces the company’s commitment to shaping the future of the logistics sector in the region. Concurrently, DHL Supply Chain revealed a substantial investment of €120 million ($514.5 million) to establish a carbon-neutral multi-customer warehouse in Dubai South, strategically located near the Innovation Center and the new Al Maktoum International Airport.
Together, these projects create a pivotal platform that unites innovation with operational capabilities, enhancing DHL’s presence in Dubai and the UAE and solidifying the company’s long-term dedication to the region, backed by its history of delivering advanced solutions that merge innovation with operations to serve its clients.
Katya Bush, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Customer Solutions and Innovations at DHL Group, stated, “The Middle East and Africa represent some of our fastest-growing markets, and DHL has built a strong presence here from the outset. The launch of this permanent Innovation Center supports this direction following the success of our mobile model over the past years. The center reflects our commitment to the region and the UAE within a global network that comprises only four such facilities. It provides a collaborative platform that empowers clients to adapt to shifts in the logistics sector through practical solutions and advanced technologies, enhancing their readiness for future demands.”
Orkun Saruhanoglu, CEO of DHL Supply Chain for the Middle East and Africa, added, “Our new multi-user warehouse in Dubai South Free Zone strengthens our regional presence by enhancing the integration of innovation and operations. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to shape the future of trade and support global supply chains, improving DHL’s ability to serve clients aiming to reduce delivery times. The location will serve as a hub for contract logistics and a vital bridge between East and West, enabling our customers to benefit from integrated solutions and innovations that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and growth across various supply chain stages.”
DHL’s Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa spans 1,700 square meters and is designed as a collaborative platform bringing together clients, partners, startups, and academic institutions to foster exchange, explore cutting-edge technologies, test scalable solutions, and develop innovations that address real-world sector challenges. The center includes areas for meetings and workshops, serving as a prominent regional site supporting the transformation of logistics.
The center hosts experts from DHL’s regional customer solutions and innovations team, enhancing its role in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and implementing practical innovation. It is linked to DHL’s global network of innovation centers in Cologne, Singapore, and Chicago, facilitating cross-regional collaboration, trend monitoring, and the development of next-generation logistics solutions that are scalable.
Irina Albanese, Head of Innovation for the Middle East and Africa at DHL’s Innovation Center, shared, “The Dubai Innovation Center exemplifies the tangible investments DHL is making and embodies the group’s innovation strategy within one of the region’s most dynamic logistics hubs. Collaboration lies at the heart of innovation; by working closely with clients and partners, diverse expertise comes together to tackle complex challenges and turn emerging trends into applicable solutions. This approach enhances the strength of supply chains today and prepares them for future requirements.”
As a key partner for the Innovation Center, Dubai South plays a pivotal role in establishing a connected ecosystem that merges innovation with operational excellence, further bolstering Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub.
Mohsen Ahmed, Executive Director of the Logistics Sector at Dubai South, stated, “Our partnership with DHL underscores Dubai South’s commitment to building an integrated ecosystem that accelerates advancement in logistics. By leveraging global expertise and fostering local innovation, we are creating new opportunities that reinforce Dubai’s status as a leading center for trade and cutting-edge technologies.”
DHL Supply Chain has also signed a significant agreement worth €120 million, which includes a 38-year lease commitment for developing a 96,000-square-meter plot in Dubai South. The project encompasses a 55,000-square-meter multi-purpose warehouse, accompanied by additional office spaces, strategically positioned near the forthcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, which will become the world’s largest airport. Construction is set to begin in Q1 2026, with completion expected by the summer of 2027. DHL Supply Chain is committed to operating carbon-neutral facilities, enabling clients to significantly lower their carbon footprint through more environmentally efficient supply chains. The facility is designed to serve multiple sectors and handle high-value goods under advanced operational and security standards, representing a long-term investment that reflects DHL’s renewed commitment to Dubai South as a central logistics hub in the Middle East.
This new facility aligns with the launch of the Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa through a series of structural investments that support the company’s growth strategy in the region. These investments include a multi-user facility operated by DHL Supply Chain in the integrated logistics zone near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, aimed at facilitating customs procedures and expediting cross-border trade in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, DHL Express is establishing its first regional aircraft maintenance facility at Bahrain International Airport, a world-class facility that will enhance line maintenance capabilities and support the expanding fleet of the company by streamlining maintenance cycles and improving operational reliability. Collectively, these projects lay the groundwork for a new era of connectivity and operational efficiency in the Middle East and Africa. This vision reflects the company’s recently announced multi-year investment plan, which allocates €500 million to the Middle East and €300 million to sub-Saharan Africa, as part of an ongoing executive initiative across the region.