Dubai, UAE, October 2025: Zotus City achieved a major milestone on the global stage as it was featured as a Global Impact Project at the 15th Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors' Forum (2025APCS), held at the prestigious Expo City Dubai from 27 to 29 October 2025.
The summit was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
During a major project briefing on the City Hall Stage, Davison Simango, CEO & Co-Founder of Zotus City Development Group, presented "Zotus City: Africa's Dubai of the Kalahari" to an audience of over 1,500 delegates including mayors, policymakers, city representatives, urban planners, and business leaders from more than 300 cities across six continents.
The presentation outlined how Zotus City is transforming regional trade through the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, creating a new economic zone that will serve as a strategic gateway connecting Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa to global markets.
Key Highlights from the Summit:
• Investment Portfolio: Zotus City was featured alongside USD 9 billion worth of investment ready urban infrastructure opportunities presented during the summit, with a total project pipeline exceeding USD 65 billion globally.
• The Dubai Declaration: More than 150 mayors signed the historic Mayors' Accord (The Dubai Declaration on the Future of Urban Governance), championing innovation, inclusivity, and climate resilience.
• Multi City Lateralism: The summit emphasized cities learning from each other's strengths to accelerate solutions to shared challenges, with Zotus City positioned as a model for sustainable urban development in emerging markets.
• Global Recognition: Zotus City was presented alongside prestigious projects including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure, Armenia's downtown Yerevan masterplan, and Sherbo Island City in Sierra Leone.
The Expo City Dubai website featured coverage of the summit's outcomes, noting: "Davison Simango, CEO and Co-Founder of Zotus City Development Group, outlined how regional trade through the Trans-Kalahari corridor was being enhanced by a new economic zone, paving the way for a route connecting Namibia, Botswana and South Africa."
Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, encouraged national governments, local communities, and the private sector to "think boldly" about investing in infrastructure that strengthens local economies.
This recognition at one of the world's premier urban development forums underscores Zotus City's growing international profile and validates its vision of creating a world class smart city that will serve as a catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Africa.
The 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit reinforced the importance of having mayors and urban coalitions at the forefront of global problem-solving, with Zotus City positioned as a prime example of how public-private partnerships can deliver prosperity for future generations.
