Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
EGYPTIAN experts are expected in Zimbabwe soon for preliminary works on the construction of a new smart city in Mt Hampden, The Sunday Mail has learnt.
Zimbabwe and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in July 2023 to collaborate on the planning, design, construction and management of the new smart city development in Mt Hampden, which is set to become the new capital.
Egypt’s new Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Maha Kamel, expressed optimism about the timing of this project, as it coincides with the rollout of the country’s new five-year economic plan, the National Development Strategy (NDS2).
Egypt, she said, is prepared to support the country’s development efforts and share its experiences.
The initial phase of the partnership will be on a government-to-government level.
By establishing a solid foundation, they intend to create opportunities for the private sector to engage in the implementation stage.
“This would pave the way for the Egyptian private sector to take part in the construction of the new cities, and this is something that we are keen to implement or to help or to support to replicate our experience to our brothers in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, Ambassador Kamel said, they “support, provide technical assistance, training, human resource development, not only to Zimbabwe, but also to all African countries”.
Ambassador Kamel also said Zimbabwe’s economic outlook was positive.
The historical ties between Zimbabwe and Egypt underscore this collaboration, rooted in shared values of anti-colonial solidarity and mutual respect for sovereignty.
Zimbabwe intends to tap into Egypt’s experience and expertise in constructing smart cities such as the New Administrative Capital (NAC) and New Alamein City. The NAC, which is to the east of Cairo, is designed as a fully integrated smart city, featuring a fibre-optic network backbone, automated waste collection, smart grids and a digital twin for city management.
The knowledge transfer from international partners to Egyptian firms and workers on such a project is creating a robust local ecosystem of smart technology implementers.
Similarly, New Alamein City on the North Coast is blending tourism, residential and technological ambitions. Its development emphasises smart utilities, digital governance and sustainable water and energy use in a coastal environment, presenting a different set of challenges and learning opportunities. These projects are part of a comprehensive national strategy focused on integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 5G, into urban life.
