The new Innovation Center is positioned as a hub to host up to participants, where scalable solutions will be created for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Region with customers, partners, and startups. DHL Supply Chain is investing million to develop a square meter, multi-user warehouse to reinforce global supply chains and create a strategic gateway connecting East and West. These developments further expand DHL’s footprint in the region.
DHL Group officially opened its newly expanded Middle East and Africa (MEA) Innovation Center in Dubai South today, solidifying the company’s investments toward shaping the future of logistics across the region. In parallel, DHL Supply Chain is investing million in a new multi-user warehouse within the same logistics district. The facility will operate as carbon-neutral and is strategically located close to the Innovation Center and the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport. All these developments will create a strong hub where innovation and operations converge, expanding DHL‘s footprint in Dubai and across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strategic expansion reinforces DHL Group‘s long-term commitment to the region and ensures closer integration of innovation and operations for customers.
Katja Busch, DHL Chief Commercial Officer and Head of DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation, commented: “The Middle East and Africa is one of our most vibrant regions, and DHL was one of the first logistics companies to establish a strong presence here. Building on the success of its previous mobile setup, the new Innovation Center is now a permanent hub—one of only four DHL Innovation Centers worldwide—and a testament to our commitment to MEA and the UAE. It helps customers navigate the region’s dynamic logistics landscape through collaboration and cutting-edge innovation.”
Orkun Saruhanoğlu, CEO of DHL Supply Chain MEA, stated: “Our new multi-user warehouse in the Dubai South Free Zone strengthens our regional presence by bringing innovation and operations even closer together. Designed to shape the future of trade, this state-of-the-art facility will reinforce global supply chains and 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 support efficiency, sustainability, and growth across their entire supply chains.”
Buket Cox, General Manager of DHL Supply Chain Turkey, said: “This significant development is designed to strengthen DHL Supply Chain‘s global supply chains and connect East and West more efficiently. With its strategic gateway location and comprehensive services, it will offer unparalleled value to our customers. As a company that promotes innovation in the logistics sector through the work of our R&D center, accredited by the T.R. Ministry of Industry and Technology since 2017 in Turkey, we are excited to see the impact of the work emerging from our New Innovation Center.”
The DHL MEA Innovation Center, spanning square meters, is designed as a collaborative platform. It aims to bring together customers, partners, startups, and academic institutions to encourage the exchange of ideas, explore emerging technologies, test scalable solutions, and co-create innovations that address real-world logistics challenges. Featuring dedicated meeting and workshop areas, the center serves as a regional beacon for logistics transformation. It also hosts experts from the DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation regional team, driving thought leadership and practical innovation. As part of DHL‘s global network of Innovation Centers in Bonn, Singapore, and Chicago, it enables cross-regional collaboration, trend discovery, and the scalable development of next-generation logistics solutions.
DHL Supply Chain signed a landmark million deal in Dubai South for a square meter plot over a -year period, including lease commitments. The project will include a square meter multi-user warehouse and additional office space, strategically located near the Al Maktoum International Airport, planned to be the world’s largest airport. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for the summer of 2027.
DHL Supply Chain is focusing on net zero carbon warehousing operations to enable its customers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint with greener supply chains. Designed to serve customers across multiple sectors, the facility will handle high-value goods under strict security and operational standards. This long-term investment underlines DHL‘s renewed commitment to Dubai South as a key logistics hub for the Middle East.
The launch of the new warehouse and the DHL MEA Innovation Center is complemented by significant infrastructure investments that reinforce the company’s regional growth strategy. Earlier this year, DHL announced its multi-year investment agenda, allocating million for the Middle East and million for Sub-Saharan Africa, an ambitious plan that is already being put into action.
