Kenya Readies to Host New Cities Summit in June

Kenya is gearing up to host the New Cities Summit this June, bringing together over 500 global leaders, innovators, and city developers at Nairobi’s Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel.

Organised by the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that seeks to revolutionise urban development, the summit is set to take place on June 12-13, 2025.

As a premier platform for addressing the challenges of building new cities, the event will focus on job creation, investment, and sustainable urban growth across Africa and beyond.

Building on the success of the 2023 Africa’s New Cities Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, this year’s event aims to deepen and expand discussions on urban development, according to Michael Holstein, Summit organiser and Head of Communications at CCI.

“Whether you’re looking to invest, partner, pitch, or understand how new cities are reshaping economic and social landscapes globally, the summit offers an unparalleled opportunity for networking, learning, and collaboration,” Holstein said.

The summit will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, tech founders, private financiers, and infrastructure developers, to discuss the theme: Transforming Ideas into Action, Across Africa & Beyond. Panels and workshops will cover topics like risk management, urban expansion, and creating sustainable cities.

Partnered with the Smart Cities Council (SCC) and Kenya Development Corporation, the event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Corey Gray, President of SCC, underscored its significance for Africa’s future, saying: “The biggest social and economic transformation of the next 50 years will take place in Africa.” He added that SCC is excited to partner with CCI, “who are active in these areas.”

“Our activities around capital marketing, technology, research, and policy complement CCI’s role in governance reform, allowing transformational projects to move beyond conception and into implementation,” Gray said.

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Magatte Wade of Prospera Africa and American entrepreneur Keith Weaver are some of the confirmed speakers. Wade will lead a fireside chat on “Economic Freedom in Africa” while Weaver will explore how the entertainment and hospitality sectors can be used as tools for African economic growth.

Also speaking will be Stephen Jennings, CEO of Rendeavour, and Kingsley Mbah, senior manager at Afreximbank. Invitations have been extended to Kenyan President William Ruto, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, actor and city-builder Idris Elba, and more.

In addition to panels, the summit will feature pitch competitions, deal rooms, and networking events aimed at forging new partnerships.

Attendees will also be able to experience the rich cultural events of Nairobi, such as safaris and other special tourist attractions.

With the event this year likely to be even bigger and better, this year’s New Cities Summit could well become the go-to venue for urban planning debates throughout Africa and the wider world.

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