Awka Becomes First Nigerian City Selected for AfDB African Cities Programme
Awka has become the first Nigerian city selected to participate in the African Development Bank’s African Cities Programme, a major international recognition expected to unlock global investment opportunities and accelerate the transformation of Anambra State’s capital into a modern, sustainable and globally competitive city.
The Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, Mr. Ossy Onuko, disclosed this during the Voice of Ndi Anambra programme on Monday, July 20, describing the development as a major international endorsement of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s urban renewal agenda.
According to Onuko, Awka is one of only three cities selected for the programme this year, making it the first Nigerian city to participate in the initiative.
He said the selection reflects growing international confidence in Anambra State’s development trajectory and the administration’s commitment to strategic planning, infrastructure development and good governance.
The African Cities Programme is designed to support participating cities in developing bankable and investment ready projects capable of attracting sustainable financing for critical infrastructure and urban development.
As part of the process, the African Development Bank engaged the globally recognised ACCIONA Group to conduct a comprehensive city diagnostic and profiling exercise to identify priority projects suitable for international investment and development funding.
Onuko said the consultants commenced work in July through workshops, city diagnostics and profiling exercises, with the active cooperation of ACTDA, relevant ministries and government agencies.
He commended the various agencies for providing the required information and technical support, which enabled the initial phase of the assignment to be completed within a short period.
He further disclosed that the ACCIONA Group will return on August 4 to commence the next phase of the assignment.
The ACTDA boss expressed optimism that the programme would produce credible, bankable projects capable of attracting substantial investments from the African Development Bank and other international financiers.
According to him, the initiative has the potential to boost infrastructure development, economic growth and job creation, while accelerating the transformation of Awka into a globally competitive capital city.
