In Abu Dhabi, eThekwini's delegation also met with high-ranking officials and innovation leaders in the mobility and digital governance sectors.
In a dynamic push to position Durban as a leading African hub for smart infrastructure, mobility innovation, and sustainable urban development, the eThekwini Municipality has launched a high-level international mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strategic diplomatic and business initiative, spanning 16 to 19 June 2025, is led by eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele, and marks a pivotal step in expanding global partnerships aligned with the city’s future-forward development goals.
Strategic Goals: Building a Resilient and Connected Durban
The UAE mission is a follow-up to an earlier round of engagements with major public and private stakeholders in Abu Dhabi. These initial dialogues laid a firm groundwork for cooperative frameworks in areas such as integrated mobility, urban transformation, and digital governance. The current mission builds on that momentum and aims to translate dialogue into formalised cooperation and tangible projects.
The eThekwini delegation includes:
- Musa Mbhele – City Manager, eThekwini Municipality
- Lungelo Buthelezi – Project Executive, Chief Operations Office
- Nelisiwe Zama – Acting Head, eThekwini Transport Authority
Together, the team is engaging key decision-makers and institutional leaders to finalise strategic agreements and catalyse investments.
Mission Objectives: Catalysing Innovation through International Partnerships
The UAE mission is guided by several high-impact objectives:
- Finalising Transport Collaboration Agreements: eThekwini is close to formalising partnerships with the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi. These agreements will focus on future-ready transportation solutions, including real-time traffic monitoring, smart mobility systems, and data-driven planning tailored for Durban’s needs.
- Exploring Digital Investment Gateways: With Maqta Technologies, a leading subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, the eThekwini delegation is evaluating investment into digital trade and governance platforms. The introduction of a Single Window digital portal, along with a proposed “Invest in KZN” prototype, could significantly enhance regional investment promotion and streamline regulatory processes.
- Expanding the Knowledge Exchange Corridor: The trip also aims to strengthen the emerging knowledge corridor linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This corridor is envisioned as a cross-regional ecosystem for best practices in logistics, infrastructure innovation, customs technology, and risk analytics through platforms like BorderVision, RiskLab, and BorderMeter.
Progress in Engagements: Collaboration in Action
On 16 June, the eThekwini delegation engaged in pivotal discussions with Dubai’s Department of Municipalities and Transport. These sessions centred on strategies to build inclusive and efficient urban environments where mobility is seamlessly integrated with city planning.
“Urban futures depend on the intelligent convergence of transport, technology, and planning. Through these engagements in the UAE, we are absorbing best-in-class practices to chart a transformative path for Durban,” stated City Manager Musa Mbhele.
Engagements with UAE's Tech and Transport Leaders
In Abu Dhabi, eThekwini's delegation also met with high-ranking officials and innovation leaders in the mobility and digital governance sectors. These included:
- Dr. Emily Mogano – Vice President of Partnerships, Sheikh Maktoum NEO Technologies Office
- Minister Abdulla Al Hashmi – Director of Traffic Systems, Integrated Transport Center
Minister Al Hashmi presented Abu Dhabi’s Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) strategy, featuring AI-driven mobility, optimized traffic flow, and automated safety measures. He affirmed the UAE’s interest in tailoring similar solutions for Durban, taking into account local challenges and developmental aspirations.
Dr. Mogano expressed strong support for further collaboration, especially in digital transformation, AI governance, and climate-smart infrastructure planning—areas where UAE-based institutions have global leadership experience.
Paving the Way for a Smarter Durban
The UAE mission is a clear demonstration of eThekwini’s proactive international outreach and willingness to learn, adapt, and lead. It reflects the city’s broader goal of building a digitally inclusive, sustainable, and investment-ready urban ecosystem.
Key focus areas that will benefit from this mission include:
- Public transport transformation
- Urban design for climate resilience
- Digital governance frameworks
- Logistics and customs modernization
- Public-private partnerships for infrastructure finance
As eThekwini continues to pursue global best practices through partnerships, Durban stands poised to become a model African smart city—driven by innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
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Quelle/Source: Devdiscourse, 19.06.2025
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