FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Anambra State Government, under the Office of the Chief of Staff, Hon Ben Nwankwo, welcomed a delegation from the ACCIONA Group, a dedicated team from the African Development Bank (AFDB) from Spain, for a diagnostic assessment of Awka city and to identify potential projects for development and possible implementation within the city, noting that the state has investment opportunities.
The ACCIONA Group delegation was received in the office of the Chief of Staff at the Anambra State Lighthouse in Awka
During the meeting, Dr. Nwankwo welcomed the delegation to the state. He stressed that the development of Awka Capital City is of great importance to the Governor and the state. He mentioned that it is the fastest-developing city in the Southeast and serves as the region’s hub. “Anambra State was created in 1991, and if you examine the rate of development and the influx of people from different parts of the country due to its economic activities, Anambra accounts for about 40 percent of the Southeast’s economy, which contributes to the density it currently enjoys.”
“Anambra is a state of entrepreneurs facing a silent war with erosion, and currently, erosion is winning. As you know, Anambra is the smallest state in Nigeria, after Lagos, but we are in serious danger, with about thirty to thirty-five percent of the land being encroached upon by erosion. This area requires urgent support from development partners,” he said.
He further informed them that, after Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, Anambra ranks fourth in terms of economic development and is the top state in the country with a functioning government. “This provides an excellent platform for international collaboration and partnerships by development agencies, especially the AFDB, whose principles focus on credibility and excellence.”
Earlier, the MD/CEO of the Anambra Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Hon. Ossy Onuko, stated that the state has been engaging with the AFDB for the past two years to participate in the Africa City programme. The programme includes urban and municipal development funds where they guide cities through project preparation, development identification, and potential funding. This year, Anambra was accepted into the programme.
He mentioned proposing several projects for potential development, including low-income mass housing, the new city (Awka 2.0), mass transit (BRT) buses with infrastructure, e-governance infrastructure, reforestation to combat erosion, urban water schemes, waste management, reliable power supply, and tourism.
He added that starting tomorrow, they will begin engaging with various ministries such as Transport, Land, Housing, Economic and Budget Planning. He stated that by Thursday, a workshop will be organised for brainstorming and to complete their mission.
In her remarks, Elisa Maceratini, Urban Planner and Deputy Project Leader of ACCIONA, expressed gratitude to the Chief of Staff for his warm reception. She explained that their visit aims to study and develop the Awka City master plan, with the objective of defining priority interventions and creating twenty-five project sheets. She clarified that this is not a feasibility study, which they are already aware has been conducted, and considered a positive sign indicating ongoing discussions and substantial groundwork.
She noted that their goal is to understand what has already been accomplished and to organise a team with a shared understanding, with the support of the state, to develop a list of priority actions aligned with the state’s vision.
Additionally, Mr Kabir Yari stated that Awka is the first city in Nigeria to benefit from the AFDB programme.
Ikeji Emeka
Senior information and public relations officer
FIRC, Awka
16/6/2026
