African cities to connect with developers and investors in Cape Town on future development plans

Kigali, Lusaka and Dar es Salaam are open for business and are showcasing their future land and development plans at the African Real Estate Summit in Cape Town from 2-3 November 2016.

“We passionately believe that Africa is a continent of opportunity. With improving economies, rising populations, rapid rates of urbanisation and burgeoning middle classes, some African cities are expected to grow between 70-100% in the next 15 years.” This is according to Mr Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG).

The UCLG Africa is the patron of the upcoming African Real Estate Summit in Cape Town - an international platform that will bring together the full spectrum of the continent’s real estate sector.

The summit will assist African cities and governments in securing new international investment for economic development based around commercial real estate and infrastructure projects that will contribute to Urban Development Plans (UPDs).

Mr Mbassi adds: “It is our hope that the African Real Estate Summit can help African cities and local governments highlight the need for quality commercial and residential real estate that this growth creates. And in turn generate the partnerships and investments from investor groups, developers and operators to deliver on this worthwhile opportunity.”

The summit will provide an invaluable opportunity for investors, developers, landowners and the cities themselves to conduct business, sign contracts and develop the future cities of Africa. Alongside the Urban Development Plan City Showcase sessions, the two-day high-level conference will also offer private companies case studies and practical guidance on how to do business in new markets.

Leading African cities

The African Real Estate Summit has invited some of the top cities in Africa to showcase their UDPs in the form of models or presentations. This will allow for delegates and exhibitors to understand the future plans of developing cities and build business relationships with key city officials including: city managers, city mayors, city council members, town planners, town clerks, district officials and city and finance directors amongst others.

Some of the development opportunities to be showcased are in Lusaka, Kigali and Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam:

• The City of Lusaka’s vision is of an ECHO Garden City by providing a world-class and competitive business and living environment by the year 2030.

  Lusaka will showcase the following urban developments and infrastructure projects:
  - Chibolya Urban Renewal
  - Grade Separation Junction improvement
  - Dual Central Business District Development
  - Industrial Parks Development

• The Rwandan capital of Kigali says its vision is to become "The Centre of Urban Excellence in Africa" and will be showcasing:
  - Nyarugenge: "The Green Financial Hub and vibrant Growth Centre of Kigali"
  - Gasabo: "Diverse Employment Hub and Cultural Heartland of Kigali”
  - Kicukiro: "Knowledge Hub and Green Gateway of Kigali”

• Dar es Salaam will be showcasing the Kigamboni New City Master Plan, including residential, commercial, trade and business, industrial, educational, and tourism facilities.

The African Real Estate Summit is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors. Longstanding flagship events by Spintelligent include African Utility Week, East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), Agritech Expo, DRC Mining Week and EduWeek.

UCGL Africa

The UCLG AFRICA is the umbrella organisation and the united voice and representative of local government in Africa. It is an institution that gathers 40 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as the 2000 cities that have more than 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore UCLG AFRICA represents nearly 350 million Africans citizens.

Dates for African Real Estate Summit 2016:

Showcase and conference: 2-3 November 2016
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-real-estate-summit.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARES_Summit
Linkedin: Real Estate Summit

Media contact:
Senior communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: moc.tnegilletnips@lobdoor.eiramenna