DP World Foundation and Expo City Dubai Foundation join forces to scale high-impact Innovations across Africa. June 26, 2026 by [email protected] DP World Foundation and Expo City Dubai Foundation have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the growth of innovative social enterprises tackling some of the world's most pressing development challenges, with initiatives that have already positively impacted more than 100,000 children and young people. The partnership combines DP World Foundation's commitment to creating sustainable community impact with Expo City Dubai Foundation's Global Innovators Programme, supporting entrepreneurs whose solutions drive measurable social, economic and environmental progress. The collaboration launched with support for two Africa-based ventures - Le Lionceau in Senegal and Smartcore in Tanzania - selected from the seventh cohort of the programme in recognition of their transformative work in education, skills development and youth empowerment. In Senegal, the partnership has supported more than 55,000 children to date through the distribution of Le Lionceau's nutritious baby food, made from underutilised African crops sourced from smallholder farmers across the Sahel region. A targeted initiative within this collaboration saw DP World Foundation facilitate the distribution of 10,000 sachets of fortified infant flour - providing the equivalent of approximately 40,000 nutrient-dense meals - specifically to children across highly vulnerable communities, including those in hospitals and orphanages. In Tanzania, edtech firm Smartcore is expanding access to quality education through its digital platform, Kisomo. With the Foundations' support, the platform has reached more than 59,000 children to date across both in-school learners as well as out-of-school children - 60 per cent of whom are female. Over 130 schools have been onboarded and 42 marginalised schools equipped with offline platform access to ensure equitable education access in regions with limited internet connectivity. Building on this success, DP World Foundation will also support another two entrepreneurs from the latest cohort of Expo City Dubai Foundation's Global Innovators Programme, which is designed to scale solutions tackling extreme heat. Fuselage Innovations, an Indian enterprise harnessing advanced agricultural drone solutions for precise heat-stress detection and protection of crops, and Moon Innovations from Nigeria, producers of modular solar-energy systems to secure food, health and livelihoods in climate-vulnerable regions, will receive funding of up to USD 100,000, alongside technical guidance, visibility and access to networking opportunities. Latifa Al Qemzi, Director General, DP World Foundation, said: "Partnerships like this demonstrate how purposeful collaboration can unlock scalable solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. At DP World Foundation, Inside Business Africa is committed to supporting initiatives that deliver tangible, long-term impact - from strengthening food security to expanding access to quality education. By working with Expo City Dubai Foundation and empowering innovative entrepreneurs, Inside Business Africa is not only addressing immediate community needs, but also investing in resilient, inclusive systems that enable future generations to thrive. "As a global trade and logistics leader, we recognise the critical role connectivity plays in enabling impact at scale, and we will continue to leverage our network to support the sustainable growth of such initiatives." Yousuf Caires, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Foundation, said: "Collaboration and innovation to drive progress is at the core of everything we do at Expo City Dubai, and we are thrilled to have DP World Foundation on board as a partner. Their support has been invaluable in advancing projects to date, and we are delighted that our partnership is continuing to support even more initiatives tackling critical issues through our latest Global Innovator Programme cohort. We look forward to working together to contribute to a more sustainable future for all." The partnership builds on the long-standing collaboration between the two organisations forged during Expo 2020 Dubai and reflects a shared focus on scaling innovation-led development. It also comes as DP World strengthens its footprint at Expo City, where its new global headquarters is set for completion in 2027. Both organisations will continue exploring similar initiatives in new markets, further amplifying their impact.

Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots France - empowering youth leadership across France through the Prix Jeunesse. At Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, Roots & Shoots believe that creating a better world for people, animals, and the environment requires more than passion - it requires action, opportunity, and strong partnerships. That's why Roots & Shoots is proud of its ongoing collaboration with DP World, whose support has made it possible for Jane Goodall Institute France to significantly expand its Prix Jeunesse programme - empowering young people to lead change across France. Expanding youth action nationwide. DP World's contribution has allowed Roots & Shoots France to invest in grassroots projects that respond directly to community needs. Roots & Shoots France set ambitious goals - and achieved them. The programme expanded well beyond its previous scale, reaching projects in 12 of France's 13 regions, including rural, peri urban, and underrepresented communities. As a result: * 256 student led projects applied for the Prix Jeunesse (up from 60 the previous year) * 6,338 young people and community members were directly impacted * 24 educators and mentors supported youth led initiatives nationwide This growth was made possible through the recruitment of a dedicated project coordinator, funded through the grant, ensuring consistent follow up, inclusive outreach, and on site engagement with student groups across the country. Spotlight on a Prix Jeunesse laureate: Les Paniers de Paul. One of the most inspiring projects supported through the Prix Jeunesse is Les Paniers de Paul, a student led initiative based in Montpellier that addresses food justice, sustainability, and local resilience. Since the start of the academic year, Les Paniers de Paul has been providing discounted organic fruit and vegetable boxes to students at the University of Montpellier Paul Valéry. The produce is sourced from an agroecological farm located just two kilometres from campus, supporting both student wellbeing and local farmers. Each box is purchased from the producer for €12 and sold to students for €3, with the difference covered through public funding and partnerships. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the project: * Reached 850 students * Distributed 2,000 veggie boxes per year * Mobilised 200 student volunteers * Invested €30,000 directly in local food production, with most funding reinvested within the territory Through Roots & Shoots mentoring - enabled by DP World's support - the project received expert guidance to strengthen its long term sustainability. The team is now working towards evolving the initiative into a cooperative model, bringing together students, producers, institutions, and solidarity based organisations. Building skills, community, and long term impact. Beyond individual projects, the Prix Jeunesse programme created lasting change across the Roots & Shoots France network: * 256 Roots & Shoots Academy projects were supported * 30 hours of expert mentorship were delivered * 9,055 trees were planted across France by youth groups * Participation in other Roots & Shoots initiatives increased by up to 90%, including public speaking and leadership programmes The programme also strengthened inclusion, reaching students in smaller cities, rural schools, and marginalised settings - including presentations of Dr. Jane Goodall's message within the prison system. By combining leadership development, mentorship, and meaningful funding, the Prix Jeunesse demonstrates how youth led initiatives can turn hope into action - at scale. Together, Roots & Shoots and DP World are empowering young people across France to lead change - for people, animals, and the planet. Beyond its direct partnership, DP World is making a global impact through their global education platform, which invites users everywhere to: * Explore innovation in trade and sustainability through exciting lessons and free resources. * Take on challenges and quizzes, dive into videos and VR experiences. * Access a variety of resources and e-learning courses for educators, students, and changemakers alike. Check out its new Roots & Shoots classroom resource created with the support of DP World that helps young people explore how everyday products connect to biodiversity and sustainability. Designed for primary school learners, it makes global supply chains easy (and fun!) to understand.

South asian maritime infrastructure receives multi-billion dollar boost from global investors. June 24, 2026 As global supply chains continue to undergo strategic realignments, South Asia is emerging as a primary destination for high-value maritime and logistics infrastructure. Recent foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments from both private logistics leaders and state-backed development agencies underscore the region's growing importance in international trade corridors. According to JOC.com, Dubai-based DP World has finalized plans to invest $3 billion over the next several years to develop new container terminals, economic zones, and cold chain logistics hubs across India. This massive capital injection is particularly focused on the coastal states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Reports from Reuters and Lloyd's List indicate that this FDI initiative is designed to enhance India's export competitiveness and better integrate its domestic supply chains with global markets. Simultaneously, strategic maritime investments are expanding in neighboring Sri Lanka. The Associated Press reports that the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has disbursed the next major funding tranche of its $553 million investment in the Colombo West International Terminal. Developed in partnership with India's Adani Group, this deepwater terminal project represents a strategic FDI initiative. According to Bloomberg and Reuters, the project aims to significantly boost Sri Lanka's shipping capacity while offering a viable alternative to Chinese-financed infrastructure in the region. From a trade policy perspective, the influx of capital into Indian and Sri Lankan maritime assets reflects a shifting geopolitical landscape where infrastructure development is closely tied to economic security. The US DFC's involvement in Colombo highlights how Western democratic nations are utilizing development finance to counter regional influence, while DP World's expansion in Gujarat and Maharashtra aligns with India's domestic push to modernize its logistics framework. For global logistics managers, these investments promise improved port efficiency, reduced bottlenecks, and enhanced cold chain capabilities, which are vital for agricultural and pharmaceutical exports. #MaritimeTrade #FDI #Logistics #SouthAsia #Infrastructure The International Trade Council is a global, peak-body, chamber of commerce that supports businesses and governments by providing resources, advocacy, and networking opportunities to promote international trade and foreign direct investment. It serves as a platform for organizations to collaborate, share knowledge, and navigate the complexities of global markets. About. Resources. Legal. (C) 2026 - International Trade Council. A Peak-Body, Chamber of Commerce. NOT affiliated with the ICC or Intracen.