Registration

Start your summit experience by checking in at the registration desk, where you'll receive your event materials and badge. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow attendees, get acquainted with the venue, and prepare for an engaging day of discussions and networking. Our team will be on hand to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth start to the event.

Welcome Remarks

What does it take to build a new city? More than ever, we need bold ideas, pragmatic execution, and a global network of innovators willing to challenge the status quo. In his opening remarks, Mark Lutter sets the stage for this year's summit"”highlighting the growing momentum behind the new cities movement, the key themes shaping this year's discussions, and why now is the time to accelerate city-building worldwide. With a focus on action, opportunity, and collaboration, this welcome address will kick off a Summit dedicated to turning vision into reality.

Keynote Address: Africa's Flagship New City Builder, Rendeavour

Africa is urbanizing at an unprecedented pace, but who is actually building its cities? Stephen Jennings, the visionary behind Rendeavour, has spent years developing some of the continent's most ambitious new urban projects. In this keynote, he shares the hard-won lessons of building cities from scratch"”what works, what doesn't, and what it will take to scale affordable, investable urban expansion across Africa. Expect big ideas, bold predictions, and a candid look at the future of Africa's cities from one of the leaders shaping them today.

Keynote Address: The Honorable Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development of Kenya

Catapult Project Introductions

The demand for well-planned, economically vibrant, and scalable new cities has never been greater. Yet too often, visionary projects struggle to move from concept to reality. The Cities Catapult, an initiative of the Charter Cities Institute and the Africa Infrastructure Development Association is designed to change that. This initiative is a launchpad for the next generation of urban developments"”bringing together developers, investors, and policymakers to fast-track the creation of thriving new cities. With a focus on scalable models, innovative financing, and real-world execution, Cities Catapult will connect high-potential city projects with the resources and expertise they need to succeed.

Catapult Session 1: Green Heart Kilifi

Green Heart Kilifi is a regenerative eco-village and business hub on Kenya's coast, integrating sustainable housing, education, agroforestry, and eco-tourism across 700 acres. They have built the horizontal infrastructure and sold out Phase I serviced plots. It is currently seeking investment to scale its residential, educational, and light industry components.

New Cities: Localizing Supply Chains and Critical Minerals for Sustainable Job Creation

As new cities emerge, localizing supply chains and processing critical minerals present powerful opportunities for building resilient economies and generating long-term employment. This session explores how urban developments can anchor strategic industries, harness regional resources, and design policy frameworks that drive sustainable job creation while enhancing national and global supply chain security. In an era defined by geopolitical shifts and growing demand for clean technologies, new cities can become hubs of innovation and inclusive industrial growth.

Catapult Session 2: TBTM Studios

TBTM Studios Morocco is a mixed-use creative hub under development in Benguerir Green City, between Casablanca and Marrakech. Anchored by Africa's first Hollywood-scale studio and a film training center, the project spans 170 hectares and integrates media production, education, tourism, and sustainable living. It aims to attract and cultivate a talent cluster which can position Africa as a global player in storytelling, content creation, and entertainment innovation

Modern Zones for a Modern Economy: The Future of SEZs

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have long been a tool for economic transformation, but what does the next generation of SEZs look like? This session examines how new zones are evolving to accommodate emerging industries, digital economies, and alternative governance models, making them more relevant than ever.

Lunch

Take a break to enjoy a delicious meal featuring local flavors. This is your chance to recharge, connect with fellow delegates, and continue the conversations sparked by the morning sessions in a relaxed setting.

Fireside Chat: Prospera Africa: Advancing Economic Freedom

What does it take to build cities of opportunity? Magatte Wade discusses how special economic zones and new governance models can unlock prosperity in Africa. Drawing from the successes and challenges of projects like Próspera, this fireside chat explores the role of economic freedom in shaping Africa's next generation of cities.

Catapult Session 3: Hodhi

Hodhi is a regulated investment platform that democratizes access to real estate investment through digital, tradable units called AKREs, each backed by real estate assets and government bonds. Investors purchase these units at an affordable entry point, allowing widespread participation in property markets traditionally limited by high capital requirements and illiquidity. Rental income from properties is reinvested into government securities, ensuring steady appreciation in AKRE value over time. This structure unlocks liquidity, promotes financial inclusion, and enables the development of affordable urban rental housing.

Introduction Video

Big Art Accelerates New Cities

GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij reveals how big art is a major catalyst that can grow early cities. Most new cities fail while they are small and there is too little interest to move there. Social media photos are the new passport stamps, serving as the stories people share of places that excite them. Striking, large-scale artwork offers visual intrigue"”and the most cost-effective marketing. Neighborhoods become more desirable when artists live there. Let artists help make new cities the hot places to live.

Talent as an Anchor Tenant: New Cities to Support the Digital Economy

As the digital economy reshapes global development, technology clusters and world-class universities are emerging as critical anchors for new city ecosystems. This session explores how the convergence of higher education, research, venture capital, and technology can drive urban growth"”positioning knowledge-centered developments as launchpads for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digitally-enabled industries. From attracting top talent to fostering startup ecosystems, these hybrid hubs are redefining what it means to build a city around knowledge.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Urban Design: Reviving Tradition, Pushing the Frontier

New cities face a critical choice: embrace the wisdom of traditional urbanism or pioneer experimental designs for the future. This session brings together leading architects, planners, and developers to explore how urban design can blend heritage, cultural identity, and cutting-edge innovation to create cities that feel both familiar and forward-looking.

Building Sherbro: Inside West Africa's Boldest City-Building Project

What happens when global star power meets ambitious urban development? In this exclusive interview, The Daily Telegraph's Adrian Blomfield sits down with Siaka Stevens, co-founder and CEO of Sherbro Island City, a bold initiative to transform a remote island off the coast of Sierra Leone into a world-class destination for business, culture, and tourism. Backed by actor and entrepreneur Idris Elba, the project aims to pioneer a new model of African development"”one rooted in local leadership, international investment, and long-term sustainability. Stevens will share insights into the public-private vision driving the city's creation, the hurdles faced in turning a concept into reality, and what Sherbro could mean for the future of private cities across the continent.

Cities as an Asset Class: Investing in New Cities

As new cities emerge across the globe, a critical question is taking shape: can cities themselves be treated as an investable asset class? This session brings together investors, developers, and policy experts to explore the financial models, risk frameworks, and governance structures that make large-scale urban development viable. From revenue-backed infrastructure to public-private partnerships, we'll examine how to unlock long-term value while building the cities of the future.

Closing Remarks and Logistics Announcements

We'll wrap up the first day of NCS 2025 with reflections on key themes, standout moments, and what's ahead. This short session will also include important logistical announcements to help guide your evening plans and prepare you for Day 2.

NXT50 Cities Coalition Cocktail Hour

This is an exclusive event for NXT50 Cities Coalition members. This isn't just a networking event, it's a rare opportunity to have all members of NXT50 in one room, exchanging ideas and building momentum for real change. Find out more about the coalition or join today by visiting https://chartercitiesinstitute.org/nxt50

Gala Dinner

Registration

For those joining us for the first time, stop by the registration desk to collect your badge and event materials. Our team will be on hand to assist you and answer any questions. If you attended Day 1, take this time to reconnect with fellow delegates over coffee before we dive into another day of insightful discussions and networking.

Keynote: Why Kenya? Featuring the Kenya Investment Authority

Catapult Project Introductions and Catapult Project Update: Small Farm Cities

The demand for well-planned, economically vibrant, and scalable new cities has never been greater. Yet too often, visionary projects struggle to move from concept to reality. The Cities Catapult, an initiative of the Charter Cities Institute and the Africa Infrastructure Development Association is designed to change that. This initiative is a launchpad for the next generation of urban developments"”bringing together developers, investors, and policymakers to fast-track the creation of thriving new cities. With a focus on scalable models, innovative financing, and real-world execution, Cities Catapult will connect high-potential city projects with the resources and expertise they need to succeed.

Closed Session: New Cities White Paper Roundtable

Given both the opportunities and challenges facing Africa's urban development across more than fifty countries, the Charter Cities Institute and the Africa Infrastructure Development Association are creating a comprehensive roadmap to guide both new city development and the scaling of existing small cities. This roadmap will address the key challenges and opportunities identified during our discussions. Our goal is to gather and synthesize input from all stakeholders: government bodies, private investors, development finance institutions, urban planners, civil society organizations, and most crucially, the citizens who will inhabit these cities.

Managing and Mitigating City Project Risks

Building a new city is a high-stakes venture"”politically, financially, and environmentally. This session delves into the biggest risks facing city projects, from geopolitical shifts and regulatory hurdles to financial volatility and social backlash. Learn from experts about the strategies that de-risk new urban developments and ensure long-term resilience.

Building Smart, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Cities

What does it take to build cities that are not only smart, but livable and future-ready? This session explores how smart technologies, sustainable planning, and resilient design are coming together in the next generation of urban developments. From infrastructure and mobility to governance and land use, we'll discuss how cities can adapt to rapid change while staying inclusive, efficient, and environmentally sound.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Catapult Session 5: Sherbro Island City

Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) is pioneering Sherbro Island City, a transformative SEZ off the coast of Sierra Leone, designed to attract global investment and promote sustainable, inclusive growth. Through an innovative PPPP with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sherbro Development Authority (SDA) will have comprehensive regulatory concessions to manage economic and municipal affairs under a world-class business environment. The project targets diaspora reintegration, climate-resilient infrastructure, and inclusive economic growth across sectors like tourism, aquaculture, and carbon credits

Introduction Video

Silicon Zanzibar: Building an Urban Knowledge Economy

Zanzibar is making bold moves to position itself as a rising hub for Africa's digital and knowledge economies. This session explores the vision behind "Silicon Zanzibar," with a spotlight on Fumba Town"”a pioneering sustainable city development at the heart of the island's tech transformation. From talent attraction and policy innovation to infrastructure and lifestyle, we examine how Zanzibar is crafting a new model for globally connected, tech-powered urbanism in the Global South.

Closed Session: Africa Urban Economic Freedom Think Tank Roundtable

This roundtable convenes leading African think tanks to explore policy-driven solutions to the continent's urban challenges. With a focus on market-friendly approaches to housing, infrastructure, land use, and job creation, the session will surface fresh ideas and pragmatic strategies for shaping the next generation of African cities. Attendees are invited to join a lively, solutions-oriented conversation at the intersection of policy, research, and urban development.

Catapult Session 6: Uxene Smart City

UXENE Smart City in Maputo, Mozambique is a sustainable mixed-use development to house 350,000 people, with integrated residential, commercial, industrial and ecological zones. Phase 1 (2025"“2030) consists of the core infrastructure and anchor projects including a university, hospital, and residential zones. UXENE SMART CITY will include 50% green areas, solar energy and built with inclusive urban planning principles.

Introduction Video

Keynote: Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority

Keynote: Geoengineering and the Future of Cities

As climate risks escalate, cities must evolve beyond adaptation"”what if they could engineer their own environments? Tomas Pueyo explores how geoengineering could reshape urban climates, from large-scale cooling solutions to atmospheric modifications. This session delves into the bold ideas, technological frontiers, and ethical questions surrounding engineered urban resilience.

Lunch

Take a break to enjoy a delicious meal featuring local flavors. This is your chance to recharge, connect with fellow delegates, and continue the conversations sparked by the morning sessions in a relaxed setting.

Academic Session on Urban Governance in African Cities

Convened by Africa Urban Lab, this academic session brings together leading researchers and practitioners to examine the evolving landscape of urban governance in African cities. With a focus on decentralization, spatial planning, and inclusive service delivery, the session will surface research-driven insights into how governance structures are responding to the continent's rapid urbanization. Presentations will draw on case studies from across Africa, offering a grounded look at the opportunities and constraints shaping urban futures.

Transforming Uttar Pradesh: Safe Cities, Smart Infrastructure and a $1 Trillion Economic Vision

India's rapid urbanization demands bold solutions. This live recording of Shruti Rajagopalan's Ideas of India podcast explores the potential of charter cities in India"”examining governance models, economic incentives, and policy innovations that could enable dynamic new urban centers to flourish across the subcontinent.

Private Cities: Rethinking Urban Development Through Market-Driven Models

Private cities"”urban areas developed and managed by private entities"”are emerging as innovative responses to the challenges of rapid urbanization, especially in regions where public infrastructure development lags behind population growth. This panel will explore the motivations behind the creation of private cities, their governance structures, and their impact on economic development and social equity. Drawing on global examples, we'll examine how private cities operate, the roles they play in national development strategies, and the lessons they offer for future urban planning initiatives.

Catapult Session 7: Naivasha SEZ

The Naivasha Eco-Industrial SEZ is a 6,000-acre green industrial park in Nakuru County, strategically located along the Northern Trade Corridor with direct rail connectivity, the zone targets sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, data centers, and EVs, with a projected investment of $500 million and capacity to create over 50,000 jobs. Backed by strong fiscal incentives and low-cost geothermal power, the SEZ aims to become Africa's premier eco-industrial and logistics hub. 

Introduction Video

The Business of Doing Good & Having Fun: Using philanthropy, hospitality, and entertainment to drive economic growth

Philanthropy is no longer just about charity"”it's about investing in systems that scale human potential. Hospitality is more than just restaurants and hotels. And entertainment is everywhere "“ from our phones to stadiums. As geopolitical uncertainty and economic turbulence challenge the resilience of cities, a new wave of philanthropists, hospitality businesses, and entertainment entities are deploying capital to create jobs, revitalize blighted regions, and catalyze innovation and economic opportunity. This session brings together social entrepreneurs and entertainment and hospitality executives to explore how their work can enable long-term, systemic change. What models are working? Where are the gaps? And how can private capital align with public goals to truly drive inclusive urban prosperity?

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Planning for Rapid Urban Expansion

With urban populations surging, how can new cities scale infrastructure, services, and governance at an unprecedented pace? This session dives into the strategies that enable cities to absorb massive growth"”from modular urbanism and flexible zoning to AI-driven planning and decentralized governance models.

Catapult Session 8: APG Healthcare

APG Healthcare is developing the first pan-African hospital network starting with a $135 million, 300-bed super-specialty tertiary care hospital in Nairobi"”designed to deliver international-quality, affordable healthcare to East Africa's rapidly growing population. Backed by a global team and a fixed-price EPC contract, the project is construction-ready and offers strong returns with operational profitability projected from Year 1. The project has anchor equity committed and debt funding now sought to complete the capital stack.

Introduction Video

What's Next for New Cities?

As the Summit draws to a close, what are the biggest lessons, trends, and opportunities shaping the future of new cities? In this forward-looking fireside chat, Preston Mendenhall synthesizes key insights from the event while issuing a call to action for developers, policymakers, and investors. What must happen next to turn bold ideas into reality? How can we accelerate the growth of thriving, dynamic urban ecosystems like Tatu City? Join us for a high-energy conclusion that charts the path forward for the global new cities movement.

Closing Remarks

As NCS 2025 draws to a close, Dr. Mark Lutter will offer closing reflections on the summit's key themes, insights, and next steps. As founder of the Charter Cities Institute, Lutter brings a sharp perspective on the path from bold ideas to real-world impact. This final session will distill lessons from two days of rich dialogue and set the tone for continued collaboration beyond the summit.

Reserved for you to explore Kenya

Saturday, June 13th has been reserved for you to explore Kenya's vibrant landscapes, iconic wildlife, and innovative urban developments. We've partnered with Blue Lilac Tours & Travel and Tatu City to offer four bespoke excursions exclusively for Summit delegates. Choose from a thrilling game drive through Nairobi National Park paired with a guided city tour, an up-close encounter with giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, a full-day safari to the breathtaking Amboseli National Park, or a behind-the-scenes look at one of Africa's most successful new city developments with a half-day tour of Tatu City. You can find tour excursion options below.


Nairobi National Park & City Tour


Nairobi National Park & Giraffe Centre


Day Trip to Amboseli National Park


Explore Tatu City