The executive director of ACI Medellín, Cristina Zambrano, said that “in 2024, we achieved milestones that position Medellín as a global leader in innovation and sustainability. We reestablished strategic relationships with countries such as South Korea, Switzerland, and Singapore, and reaffirmed our leadership in networks such as C40, where we promote priority climate and energy projects for the city.”

The technology sector led these achievements with 56% of investment projects, consolidating its position as a driver of development for Medellín. Companies from other parts of the world continue to show their confidence in the city.
Furthermore, companies from countries such as the United States, Germany, Canada, Chile, and Mexico were attracted by its human talent, its articulated ecosystem, and its strategic location.

In international cooperation, $3 million USD was secured to develop 20 projects with Germany and Japan, among others, which focused on sustainability and social and economic development. This commitment was reflected in initiatives such as implementing Urban Protected Air Zones and energy efficiency in public buildings, funded by the C40 Network, with an investment of $250,000 USD.

2024 also marked Medellín’s return to global leadership, with the commitment to the recovery of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, alongside the World Economic Forum, and the district’s return to the C40 Steering Committee. In addition, the city hosted the World Data Forum, a unique event that attracted more than 3,000 visitors from around the world.

In the educational field, a partnership with Rockwell Automation and the Ministry of Education enabled technology awareness sessions to be held for 3,050 students in Delaware public schools, fostering their interest in the technology industry. On the other hand, the Medellín and its international allies event brought together more than
150 international leaders, business leaders, and industry representatives to learn about the District Development Plan, promoting strategic projects for the city.

With these achievements, Medellín not only strengthens its leadership in innovation and sustainability but also establishes itself as a reliable destination for international cooperation and investment, projecting itself toward growth and social transformation.

Photo credit: City of Medellín.

Mayor Quintero ran for office on a pledge to remake Medellín as “Valle del Software” or “Software Valley,” and in a communiqué pointed to Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Yinchuan, Hangzhou and Chongqing as aspirational examples.

The investment agency also cited the potential for academic exchanges of teachers and students between China and Medellín, for the teaching of Mandarin and Spanish, and to offer scholarships to study higher education in China for teachers and students.

According to ACI Medellín, in the past decade, Chinese investments in Medellín have reached a $182 million USD and accounting for an estimated 465 jobs from 8 investment projects. The investments account for $26 million in annual economic activity, almost entirely in infrastructure and logistics.

Medellín is seeking Chinese investment in its “Metro de la 80” light passenger rail project, but the administration states that it is seeking Chinese investment in technology to support its “Valle del Software” strategy that is implemented in partnership with Ruta N, the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ProColombia and ACI Medellín. In a statement the mayor’s administration says it hopes to make Medellín the center of operations for Chinese companies operating in North & South America.