DHL Group has reinforced its long-term commitment to the Middle East and Africa with two major developments in Dubai South: the opening of an expanded MEA Innovation Center and a €120 million state-of-the-art multi-user warehouse that will serve as a fully carbon-neutral logistics gateway for the region. Announced on 4 December 2025, the investments highlight Dubai’s growing importance as a global logistics crossroads and reflect DHL’s strategy of bringing advanced capabilities closer to key growth markets.
The new MEA Innovation Center marks the transition from a temporary mobile setup to a permanent 1,700 sqm hub designed for co-creation and experimentation across the logistics ecosystem. Built to host up to 120 people, the center features dedicated zones for workshops, customer demonstrations, and solution testing. It brings together DHL customers, academic institutions, startups, and technology partners to explore emerging technologies and accelerate the development of scalable logistics innovations.
As one of only four DHL Innovation Centers worldwide—alongside Cologne, Singapore, and Chicago—the Dubai facility serves as a regional platform for knowledge exchange and trend scouting. Experts from DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation will operate onsite, driving applied research and next-generation solutions tailored to the Middle East and Africa.
Complementing this innovation hub is DHL Supply Chain’s investment in a 55,000 sqm multi-user warehouse, part of a 38-year agreement covering a 96,000 sqm land plot within Dubai South’s logistics district. Positioned near the future Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the world’s largest, the facility will support high-value supply chains with advanced security features and integrated digital infrastructure. Construction will begin in Q1 2026, with completion slated for summer 2027.
In line with DHL Group’s global goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the new warehouse will operate entirely carbon-neutral. Customers will benefit from more sustainable logistics options, reduced lead times, and strong multimodal connectivity linking global trade routes across East and West. The site is expected to serve multiple sectors, further elevating Dubai South’s position as a rising logistics powerhouse.
These developments follow DHL’s broader regional investment strategy announced earlier this year, which includes €500 million for the Middle East and €300 million for Sub-Saharan Africa. Together, the initiatives underscore DHL’s approach of integrating cutting-edge innovation with operational excellence, positioning Dubai as a future-ready hub set to shape the next era of global supply chain performance and sustainability.