Smart cities indaba set for Nyanga

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

THE development of smart cities adopted by the Government towards an upper middle-income society by 2030 will take centre stage at a four-day conference to be held in Nyanga next month, with participants drawn from various ministries, the academia and the private sector.

The high-level Smart Cities, Devolution and Property Development Master Class 2025 is scheduled for July 6–9 at Troutbeck Resort and is organised by Global Renaissance Investments (GRI).

“It is more than just a conference — it’s a strategic milestone in the country’s drive to build smart, sustainable, and inclusive cities. Against a backdrop of accelerating urbanisation, the summit convenes a dynamic mix of Government ministries urban planners, energy and telecommunications experts, and real estate and financial leaders,” GRI chief executive officer,” Mr Ngoni Dzirutwe said.

Representatives from the ministries of Local Government and Public Works, Energy and Power Development, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and National Housing are expected to address the conference.

“The shared mission is to forge a collective blueprint for modern cities that are digitally connected, environmentally conscious and socially responsive. Smart cities are not just about technology. They are about planning, sustainability, and people. This masterclass is a pivotal part of our roadmap,” he added.

Among the notable speakers confirmed for the event are Lawrence Nyazema, CBZ Holdings Group CEO, GRI chairman Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje and Mutare City Council town clerk Mr Blessing Chafesuka.

“This underscores the collaborative strength between Zimbabwe’s financial, academic and public sectors.

This year’s masterclass is expected to serve as a launchpad for deeper national conversations around the smart cities concept and the Vision 2030, an initiative aimed at transforming urban centres into hubs of innovation, efficient service delivery, and economic resilience,” he said.

The four-day summit will explore critical themes such as leveraging big data and IT for smart city management, deploying renewable energy and smart grids to power urban economies, streamlining land use and property registration through blockchain and digital platforms and enhancing local authority capabilities through devolution and targeted                investment.

With urban centres facing mounting pressure from population growth, limited housing, traffic congestion, and climate vulnerability, experts argue that smart city solutions are no longer optional but urgent necessities.

“If we want to build cities that work for everyone, we must embrace innovation, inclusivity, and institutional reform,” Mr Dzirutwe added.

With countries like Rwanda and Kenya already piloting smart city models, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to catch up and potentially lead in Southern Africa’s urban technology adoption.