DHL Group has opened its newly expanded Middle East & Africa (MEA) Innovation Center in Dubai South, reinforcing the company's continued investment in shaping the future of logistics across the region.
DHL Supply Chain is also investing €120 million in a new multi-user warehouse within the same logistics district. The facility will operate carbon-neutral and is strategically located near the Innovation Center and the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport.
DHL said these developments will create a hub where innovation and operations converge, expanding DHL's footprint in Dubai and across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The expansion reflects DHL Group's ongoing activities in the region and aims to integrate innovation more closely with operations.
(Photo: DHL)
"The Middle East and Africa is one of our most vibrant regions, and DHL was among the first logistics companies to establish a strong presence here," said Katja Busch, chief commercial officer DHL and head of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.
The new Innovation Center is now a permanent hub in Dubai South, one of four DHL Innovation Centers worldwide. It is designed to support customers in navigating the region’s logistics landscape through collaboration and innovation, she added.
Orkun Saruhanoglu, CEO at DHL Supply Chain Middle East & Africa, noted that the new multi-user warehouse in Dubai South's free zone strengthens the company's regional presence by bringing innovation and operations even closer together.
"Shaping the future of trade, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to power global supply chains and will enhance DHL's ability to serve customers seeking shorter lead times."
"The site will serve as a contract logistics gateway, acting as a vital bridge between East and West. Our customers will benefit from integrated solutions and innovation that drive efficiency, sustainability, and growth across their entire supply chains," Saruhanoglu added.
The DHL MEA Innovation Center, which spans 1,700 square meters, is designed as a collaborative platform and brings customers, partners, startups, and academic institutions to foster exchange and explore emerging technologies, test scalable solutions, and co-create innovations that address real-world logistics challenges.
It features dedicated meeting and workshop spaces, and serves as a regional lighthouse for logistics transformation.
The center also hosts experts from DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation's regional team, driving thought leadership and practical innovation. As part of DHL's global network of Innovation Centers in Cologne, Singapore, and Chicago, it enables cross-regional collaboration, trend scouting, and the scalable development of next-generation logistics solutions.
New contract-logistics gateway
DHL Supply Chain has signed also €120 million agreement, including leasehold commitments, for a 38-year term on a 96,000 square meter land plot in Dubai South.
The development will include a 55,000 square meter multi-user warehouse plus additional office space, strategically located near the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport, set to become the world's largest airport.
DHL noted that construction is scheduled to break ground in Q1 2026, with completion planned for summer 2027.
DHL Supply Chain plans to operate its warehousing facilities on a net zero‑carbon basis. The site is designed to serve multiple sectors and will handle high‑value goods under strict security and operational standards. The investment reflects DHL's continued presence in Dubai South as a logistics hub for the Middle East.
The new warehouse and the launch of DHL's MEA Innovation Center are complemented by significant infrastructure investments that reinforce the company's regional growth strategy.
Earlier this year, DHL outlined a multi-year investment plan, allocating €500 million for the Middle East and €300 million for Sub-Saharan Africa, with projects already underway.
