by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Africa is set to take centre stage in the global urban development arena as the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), in partnership with the Waterfall City Management Company (WCMC), brings the prestigious 2026 New Cities Summit to Waterfall City this December.
Hosted at Waterfall City — widely recognised as Africa’s largest mixed-use development — the Summit will highlight Johannesburg’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, investment, and forward-thinking urban planning.
The event builds on the success of previous summits in Kigali (2023) and Nairobi (2025), further cementing Africa’s leadership in shaping the cities of tomorrow.
Waterfall City stands as a powerful example of South Africa’s urban ambition. Spanning 2,200 hectares, the smart city integrates residential, commercial, retail, healthcare, education, and logistics spaces into a secure, sustainable environment.
Its world-class infrastructure, meticulous property management, and long-term planning reflect the country’s capacity to deliver globally competitive developments.
Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall City Management Company, said: “It is a great honour for us to host the 2026 New Cities Summit at Waterfall City – the largest mixed-use development in Africa. While our 2,200-hectare smart city is only halfway complete, we believe it already reflects the pioneering urban design and human-centric principles that underpin this project. We are proud to showcase how innovative planning, long-term vision and dedicated property management can translate into a smart, safe and sustainable environment, where people can truly live, work, play and prosper.”
The Summit will convene more than 600 leaders from government, business, technology, infrastructure, academia, and finance. Under the theme Innovating the Business of Building Cities: Capital. Infrastructure. Governance., discussions will focus on unlocking investment, accelerating infrastructure delivery, promoting good governance, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Distinct from traditional conferences, the New Cities Summit is action-oriented. It features deal rooms, pitch competitions, curated networking sessions, and collaborative workshops designed to turn ideas into tangible projects.
For South Africa, this presents a valuable opportunity to attract foreign direct investment, strengthen public-private partnerships, and position Johannesburg as a gateway to African markets.
Summit Producer and Head of Communications for CCI, Michael Holstein, added: “Whether you’re looking to invest, partner, pitch, or just better understand how new cities are reshaping economic and social landscapes around the world, the New Cities Summit offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate, and move projects forward.”
Beyond business, the Summit will also showcase South Africa’s rich cultural heritage, tourism attractions, and dynamic economy.
By hosting this landmark event, Waterfall City and Johannesburg reaffirm South Africa’s role as a continental leader in innovation, sustainable development, and visionary city-building.
– CAJ News