By Cyril Ogar
African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, the Federal Government and Abia State, has launched a $263.8m Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project.
The initiative is aimed at modernising urban infrastructure, enhancing mobility, and promoting inclusive, climate-resilient development and rehabilitating over 248 kilometres of roads.
The AfDB in a statement, said the project, which was officially launched on July 11, 2025, will addressed critical infrastructure gaps in urban transport, erosion control and waste management, which have long constrained mobility, public health and economic productivity in the cities of Umuahia and Aba in Abia State.
The statement read in part, “The African Development Bank, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, Nigeria’s Federal Government and Abia State, has launched the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project on July 11, 2025.
“The project is a transformative $263.8 million initiative to modernise urban infrastructure, enhance mobility, and promote inclusive, climate-resilient development”.
The African Development Bank is contributing $115m to the project—$100m from its ADB window and $15m from the Canada-AfDB Climate Fund. The Islamic Development Bank is co-financing with $125m, while the Federal Government is providing $23.8m in counterpart funding.
“The project addresses critical infrastructure gaps in urban transport, erosion control and waste management, which have long constrained mobility, public health and economic productivity in the cities of Umuahia and Aba in Abia State.
“The African Development Bank is contributing $115m to the project, including $100m from its ADB window and $15m from the Canada-AfDB Climate Fund. The Islamic Development Bank is co-financing with $125m, while the Federal Government of Nigeria is providing $23.8m in counterpart funding.
“The project will rehabilitate more than 248 kilometres of roads in the cities of Umuahia and Aba, restore two erosion sites, and catalyse private sector investment in solid waste management through public-private partnerships”, the statement noted.
The AfDB further stated that Abia State, like many fast-growing regions, has been grappling with ageing infrastructure, urban expansion, and environmental pressures that have strained public health and economic productivity, particularly in Umuahia and Aba.
The new project is expected to address these challenges through integrated and sustainable infrastructure renewal.
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti while commenting on the project during the launch event, described it as a turning point in the state’s development trajectory.
“The fruits of development are richer when supported by partners who believe in your vision. We are focused on raising living standards, expanding access to education and healthcare, and driving economic productivity. Investor confidence is growing, public optimism is rising, and Abia is emerging as a destination of choice for opportunity and impact”, he said.
The project is expected to generate over 3,000 temporary jobs during the construction phase, 30% of which will be allocated to women.
In the operational phase, about 1,000 permanent jobs will be created, with 50% reserved for young people who will be trained through the State Youth Road Maintenance Corps—an initiative drawing local engineers from all 17 Local Government Areas in the state.
Also speaking, Director General of the Bank’s Nigeria Country Department, Dr Abdul Kamara, said the project is anchored on partnership and long-term impact.
“At its core, this project is about lives, it is about reducing travel time by half, increasing incomes, improving access to schools and hospitals, and creating space for entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, to thrive”, he said.
The project also includes several social and environmental safeguard measures such as training for women and youth entrepreneurs, resettlement assistance, awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS and other infections, as well as enhancements to procurement and financial management systems.
The Assistant Director at the International Economic Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr Akande Oyebola, noted that the project represents a major step in efforts to boost economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and improve living standards in Abia State.
He emphasised that the initiative reflects a collective commitment to national development objectives.
