Staff Reporter
Great Africa Mother of Humanity (GAHM) International, a Chinese investment group, has announced an ambitious plan to construct 1,000 industrial towns across Africa beginning in 2025. The initiative, revealed by GAHM’s founder and co-chairperson, William Wang, aims to revolutionize Africa’s industrial landscape through strategic investments in key sectors.
Addressing media practitioners from English-speaking countries on a tour of the company’s projects in Beijing, on Saturday, Wang outlined the group’s vision for Africa’s economic transformation. The journalists were hosted under the China International Press Communication Centre program.
“We will provide capital, technology, expertise, management, and market access for these industrial towns to create win-win partnerships. The towns will be managed by local municipalities, governments, and town councils, while our company will offer support where needed,” he said.
The planned industrial towns will focus on vital sectors such as agriculture, food processing, healthcare, education, accommodation, and skills training. These initiatives are expected to stimulate economic growth, create employment, and enhance industrial development across the continent.
Wang emphasized the need for Africa to transition from traditional energy sources such as hydroelectric and thermal power to green and smart energy solutions.
“Traditional energy sources face challenges from climate change, drought, depletion of reserves, and pollution concerns. Green energy is the way forward,” he said.
GAHM International is committed to a thorough planning process, which includes dispatching high-level delegations to conduct due diligence in targeted areas before signing agreements. Partnerships will involve both governments and private businesses, with liaison offices already established in several African countries.
Additionally, Wang disclosed that a minimum financing capital of 10 billion RMB (approximately USD 1.4 billion) has been allocated for the first phase of projects, set to launch in July 2025.
Furthermore, Wang expressed optimism about Zimbabwe’s potential, citing its abundant mineral resources as a foundation for industrial development.
“Zimbabwe is blessed with immense mineral wealth, and this provides a unique for growth and innovation,” he explained.
During a previous visit to Zimbabwe, Wang explored Victoria Falls and praised its potential as a world-class tourist destination. He noted that investing in tourism infrastructure could further bolster Zimbabwe’s economic prospects.
The GAHM initiative offers a promising blueprint for Africa’s industrial and economic transformation, signalling a future of enhanced collaboration between China and the continent.
