Abia State is moving to redefine its economic landscape with the launch of a major Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, the Aba Commercial Smart City, aimed at modernising commerce and generating tens of thousands of jobs, Governor Alex Otti announced on Thursday.
The sprawling project — to be developed on about 140 hectares in the Osisioma area of Aba — was unveiled at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the United Market Leaders/Traders in Umuahia, where Mr Otti said the development aligns with his administration’s vision for sustainable growth and prosperity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Otti, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said the plan would transform Aba into an industrial and commercial hub, extending its reach beyond traditional trade. “So what we are saying today is a reflection of that vision, that once the right atmosphere, the right environment has been created, investors will come. Investors are not emotional,” he declared, stressing that the state had put in place the necessary infrastructure and conducive environment to attract investment.
According to project technical lead David Okoro, the smart city is designed around four key pillars including automated manufacturing, smart housing, integrated commerce, logistics efficiency and advanced energy systems. Mr Okoro told journalists the initiative will boost Abia’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and provide a major lift for local industries.
He said the economic impact would extend broadly, with an estimated 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect positions expected across sectors such as construction, ICT, manufacturing and retail once the facility becomes fully operational.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the project’s leadership, Ambassador Osita Offor described the development as “a bold stride towards positioning Abia as a global gateway to Africa’s commerce and industrial revolution.”
Organisers say the smart city’s facilities — including an e-commerce platform linked to bonded terminals — will reduce barriers for importers and enable cross-border trade directly to customers’ doorsteps, a development hailed as a potential game-changer for local businesses.
