The African Development Bank (AfDB) has selected Awka, the capital of Anambra State, as the first city under its Urban Programme drive.
The milestone achievement sees Awka emerge as the first city in Nigeria to benefit from the African Cities Programme of the African Development Bank, which is aimed at transforming urban infrastructure and city development across Africa.
The development followed the signing of a contract with Acciona Construction Firm of Spain on 4 May 2026. Representatives of the company visited the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) in Awka to commence preliminary engagements on the project.
Speaking during the meeting, Urban Development and Coordinating City Expert, Mohammad Yari, said the African Cities Programme was designed to help participating cities assess development challenges, prioritise critical infrastructure needs, and develop bankable projects capable of attracting financing from the African Development Bank and other international financial institutions.
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According to him, Awka’s selection places the city in a strategic position for major infrastructural transformation. He said a technical committee had already been constituted to carry out city profiling, stakeholder engagement, and data collection necessary for the preparation of an action plan.
“Awka is the first city in Nigeria to benefit from the African Development Bank African Cities Programme. The initiative will help the city develop evidence-based and people-oriented projects capable of transforming the urban landscape,” Yari said.
He noted that Acciona, an international construction company with operations across several continents, was engaged to support the technical implementation process.
The expert added that the programme would focus on identifying projects with high developmental impact, including roads, urban renewal, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Also speaking, Acciona’s Urban Development Expert and Gender Specialist, Egbuna Onyinyechi, said the project would adopt an inclusive planning model that considers the needs of women, youths, children, and persons living with disabilities.
She explained that the programme would encourage the development of pedestrian-friendly roads, safer transport systems, and public infrastructure designed for all categories of residents.
Receiving the delegation, the Managing Director of ACTDA, Ossy Onuko, described the project as a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Awka.
Onuko noted that the process for the project began in 2024 and was concluded in 2026, with Awka emerging as the first beneficiary city in Nigeria under the African Cities Programme.
He said the state government, under Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, remained committed to building a liveable and prosperous homeland through strategic partnerships and sustainable urban development projects.
The ACTDA boss assured the team of the agency’s readiness to provide the necessary support and collaboration required for successful implementation of the programme.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Lands, Offornze Amucheazi (SAN), described Awka’s selection as a significant achievement for Anambra State, noting that the government was determined to transform the capital into a modern urban centre in line with the Awka 2.0 initiative.
The technical team also visited the President-General of Awka, Chief Fredrick Chinwuba, as part of stakeholder engagements on the project.
Speaking during the visit, Chinwuba welcomed the initiative and highlighted the urgent need for improved infrastructure, flood control systems, inner-city roads, and urban beautification projects in the state capital.
He expressed optimism that the African Development Bank-backed programme would accelerate Awka’s development and improve the quality of life for residents.
