How Zoomlion is Reshaping the Global Urban Originals: From Desert Cities to Riverside Infrastructure

The Urban Transformation Imperative

The world is experiencing an unprecedented urban shift. By 2050, nearly 70% of the global population will reside in cities—a dramatic spike from today’s levels—bringing mounting pressures on infrastructure, transportation networks, and resource management. The UN’s World Cities Day 2025 centers on a crucial vision: creating people-centered smart cities that balance growth with livability. This challenge has become the defining mission for companies reshaping urban development across continents.

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (1157.HK) has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation, tackling mega-projects that serve as urban originals—pioneering developments setting new standards for city design and functionality.

Engineering the Future Across Continents

In the Middle East, Zoomlion’s drilling and foundation expertise is foundational to Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious urban ventures. The Quadrilateral City Project and Riyadh’s Mukaab—a record-breaking temperature-controlled skyscraper—rely on specialized equipment like the ZR420GW rotary drilling rig to handle demanding geological conditions. Beyond Saudi Arabia, the company’s infrastructure support for NEOM New City demonstrates how technical backbone systems enable visionary urban models.

Africa’s development narrative increasingly features Zoomlion’s contributions. Egypt’s Alamein New Town, crowned with Africa’s tallest all-concrete residential tower, represents urban living at scale. The New Administrative Capital and cross-border initiatives like the Rosso Bridge connecting Senegal and Mauritania exemplify how infrastructure creates regional economic corridors. Morocco’s 2030 FIFA World Cup venue and Chad stadium projects further underscore the company’s continental footprint.

Across Asia, connectivity projects like Malaysia’s Pan-Borneo Highway address the critical urban-rural divide. In eastern China, Zoomlion’s full-casing drilling rig—the world’s largest of its category—enables the Suzhou Xitang River Drinking Water Project, addressing urban water security and environmental resilience simultaneously.

Local Talent, Global Standards

A distinguishing factor in Zoomlion’s approach: localization. Over 90% of its 300-plus Africa-based workforce comprises local hires, embedding technical expertise within communities and creating sustainable employment ecosystems alongside physical infrastructure.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar

These projects transcend engineering—they represent long-term commitments to sustainable urban transformation, community empowerment, and the vision of smart cities that prioritize human welfare alongside technological advancement.