By Tony Okafor, Awka
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is expected in Anambra State on Sunday as part of ongoing engagements following the admission of Awka into the bank’s prestigious African Cities Programme, a major urban development initiative designed to prepare rapidly growing African cities for large-scale infrastructure investment.
The Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Osita Onuko, disclosed this on Thursday while providing an update on the programme’s implementation in the state.
According to Onuko, the process began in 2024 when ACTDA applied for inclusion in the continent-wide initiative aimed at strengthening urban planning systems, institutional capacity and investment readiness in emerging African cities.
He explained that the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), acting on behalf of the AfDB, formally confirmed Awka’s admission into the programme in September 2025 after evaluating the city’s development prospects under the leadership of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and assessing the state’s institutional framework and commitment to urban development.
The ACTDA boss said the programme targets rapidly expanding secondary cities where infrastructure development and urban planning have struggled to keep pace with rapid population growth.
He noted that, following a competitive procurement process conducted by the AfDB, Acciona, a globally recognised urban development and infrastructure planning firm, was selected as the programme’s technical consulting partner.
According to him, Acciona will work with ACTDA to undertake a comprehensive city diagnostic study and develop a City Action Plan that will serve as a roadmap for future bankable infrastructure projects and investment opportunities in Awka.
Onuko said the visit would commence with a guided tour of the capital city and a formal kick-off meeting involving the state’s technical leadership.
He added that the meeting would produce agreements on the programme’s work plan, identify key investment priorities such as sustainable mobility and green infrastructure, clarify institutional and data requirements, and establish implementation and communication frameworks.
The ACTDA Managing Director revealed that the visit, which will include extensive data gathering, stakeholder consultations and technical assessments, is set to commence with the arrival of the African Development Bank delegation in Anambra State on Sunday.
He expressed optimism that the exercise would help shape Awka’s urban investment pipeline, enhance project preparation capabilities and position the state to attract substantial financing for critical infrastructure development.
Onuko described Awka’s inclusion in the African Cities Programme as a significant milestone that would strengthen the city’s long-term development strategy and accelerate its transformation into a modern, sustainable and investment-ready capital city.
