Zimbabwe is exploring deeper technical and financial collaboration with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) for the development of the planned Mt Hampden New City.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Finance said, “the talks focused on possible deepening of technical and financial collaboration for the planned New City outside Harare which will ideally have data centers to support AI and become an economic zone.”
The Ministry noted that the project, which is already at an early stage of implementation with some enabling works completed, forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader modernisation agenda.
“The project, already in its early stages with some enabling works completed, is envisioned as a flagship urban development under Zimbabwe’s long-term modernization drive,” said the Ministry.
According to the Ministry, a key aspect of the engagement was CSCEC’s presentation of internationally recognised ‘new city’ development models, demonstrating the company’s capacity to deliver large-scale urban infrastructure projects.
“A central feature of the engagement was CSCEC’s presentation of its internationally implemented ‘new city’ development models, showcasing its end-to-end delivery capacity from conceptual design and planning to financing, construction and full infrastructure rollout,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry said CSCEC officials expressed interest in supporting Zimbabwe’s new city project and indicated their readiness to provide technical expertise, advanced construction technologies, financing mechanisms and project implementation capacity.
“CSCEC officials expressed interest in supporting Zimbabwe’s New City project, indicating readiness to deploy technical expertise, advanced construction technologies, a financing model and project execution capacity,” said the Ministry.
The Mt Hampden New City is being developed around Zimbabwe’s new parliament precinct and is expected to become a modern urban centre featuring commercial, residential, technological and administrative infrastructure.
Government has identified the project as a key component of its long-term economic transformation and urban development strategy under Vision 2030.
