New city takes shape
PLANS to develop Zimbabwe’s new capital city in Mt Hampden are gathering momentum, with a master plan for the multi-billion-dollar ultramodern development now complete.
The US$60 billion metropolis, which is anticipated to decongest Harare, will straddle over 15 500 hectares and accommodate more than 1,5 million residents on completion. Three local authorities — Harare municipality, Mazowe and Zvimba rural district councils — will administer the city, which is set to be named after one of the country’s cultural and heritage endowments.
Government has already enlisted the services of Egyptian experts, behind development of a new administrative capital for the north African country, who are currently in Zimbabwe on a knowledge transfer mission. The new city concept was approved by Cabinet in December 2018. The recent completion of the new Parliament building — the nucleus around which a new metropolis will rise — is set to catalyse development.
According to the master plan, the city will be developed in four distinct phases spanning a 10-year period. The first phase, which will run for two years, will entail creation of traction and development infrastructure. This phase will be funded through Treasury and “donations from the private sector and other partners,” according to the blueprint.
Phase two will involve development of baseline infrastructure through funding from Treasury, public-private partnerships (PPPs), loans and issuance of bonds, debentures or bills. The next phase, running from year five to 10, will witness the development of commercial, residential and industrial areas through PPPs, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), syndicated loans, development finance and export credit finance, among other instruments.
The final phase, will entail continued development of commercial, residential and industrial areas from year 10 going forward through private equity, PPPs, FDI and syndicated loans. Local Government and Public Works Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu said work on the historic project has commenced.
“Development of the new city at Mt Hampden is expected to attract investors and stimulate rapid economic growth and development. The city will also solve the shortage of development space in Harare, which is being exacerbated by rapid population growth and ageing infrastructure. Strategic Government Ministries and departments including courts and parastatals will be relocated to the new city and this needs to be accompanied by prime residential, commercial and industrial development.”
Mr Churu said Government was learning from Egypt, which is also in the process of constructing a new administrative capital just outside Cairo.
Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Mahmoud Amer said: “The Egyptian delegation is in the country to transfer knowledge and expertise they have gained in building a new administrative capital in Cairo.
“This delegation has been sent here to help the Zimbabwean Government build the new city. They are here to listen and give direction and guidance on the construction of the new city.”
President Mnangagwa recently officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony of a multi-milliondollar cyber-city being developed by United Arab Emirates (UAE) billionaire Mr Shaji Ul Mulk.