Plans are underway to establish at least three unique smart cities in Hwange District and work has already started, Engineer Andrew Muchechetere, group executive chairman of AMRE Investments has said.
Addressing delegates at the 10th CEO Africa Roundtable conference yesterday, Eng Muchechetere emphasised the importance of developing a smart city in the district due to the availability of prime land.<
Victoria Falls is moving closer to becoming a smart tourism and green destination following plans to construct a renewable energy exhibition park and a 500MW solar plant which will be complemented by a tidal river plant on the Zambezi River.
Southpole Consulting, an international firm that was given Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status by the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (Zida), is implementing the project.
Land measuring 300 hectares near the Victoria Falls International Airport has since been identified for the solar farm project.
Read more: ZW: Matabeleland North: 500MW solar plant to turn Victoria Falls into smart city
Construction has begun at the Zimbabwe Cyber City in Mount Hampden, near Harare, marking the start of a significant real estate development phase in the country.
The project, initiated by Mulk International under the direction of Dubai-based billionaire Shaji Ul Mulk, was proposed to President Mnangagwa during his visit to the United Arab Emirates.
The creation of a smart city with modern infrastructure and amenities in Chegutu is gathering pace as the layout plan is presently being finalised.
Risboro Farm, which measures 1 176 hectares, was handed over to the Chegutu Rural District Council (RDC) and the Chegutu Municipality by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in 2022 for the expansion of the town, as well as creation of the smart city.
Read more: ZW: Mashonaland West: Chegutu’s smart city project gathers pace
Making Zimbabwe a smart economy requires collaborative efforts of key stakeholders with the right policies and frameworks in place, a local financial advisory firm has said.
As Zimbabwe seeks to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, smart city development has become top of the agenda.
Read more: ZW: Realising ‘smart cities’ concept, a collaborative effort: Expert