Spanish Consulting Firm Arrives Anambra as AfDB Urban Development Programme Begins in Awka

By Tony Okafor, Awka 

The implementation phase of the African Development Bank (AfDB)-supported African Cities Programme in Anambra State has commenced with the arrival of officials of Acciona, the Spanish consulting firm appointed by the bank as technical partner for the initiative.

The delegation, led by Deputy Project Leader, Elisa Maceratini, and Environmental Specialist, Carolina Ferrandi, alongside Tpl. Kabi Yari, City Coordinator and Urban Development Specialist, and Onyinye Egbuna, arrived in Awka to begin stakeholder engagements and technical assessments aimed at preparing the state capital for large-scale infrastructure investments.

The visit follows Awka’s admission into the prestigious African Cities Programme, an AfDB initiative designed to strengthen urban planning, institutional capacity and investment readiness in rapidly growing African cities.

Briefing the visiting team, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko, outlined the priority development needs of the Awka Capital Territory.

He identified housing as a major concern and appealed to the development partners to support the construction of about 10,000 low-cost housing units to address the accommodation needs of residents.

Other priority areas highlighted by the ACTDA boss included a modern mass transit scheme, sustainable power solutions, waste-to-wealth initiatives, improved water supply infrastructure and other critical urban development projects.

Dr. Onuko also took the delegation through the historical evolution of Awka, describing the city as the traditional home of blacksmithing and a community with a rich cultural and entrepreneurial heritage.

As part of their engagements, the Acciona team paid courtesy visits to the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, who both expressed support for the programme and endorsed the priority projects identified by ACTDA.

The delegation also met with the President-General of Awka, Chief Fred Chinwuba, as part of efforts to secure community participation and stakeholder buy-in for the initiative.

Speaking earlier on the programme, Dr. Onuko recalled that ACTDA applied for inclusion in the African Cities Programme in 2024. Following an evaluation of Awka’s development prospects and Anambra State’s institutional framework, the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF), acting on behalf of the AfDB, formally admitted the city into the programme in September 2025.

He explained that Acciona emerged as the technical consulting partner after a competitive procurement process conducted by the AfDB and would work closely with ACTDA to undertake a comprehensive city diagnostic study and prepare a City Action Plan.

According to him, the plan will provide a roadmap for future bankable infrastructure projects capable of attracting substantial local and international investment.

The programme is expected to involve extensive data gathering, stakeholder consultations and technical assessments aimed at positioning Awka as a modern, sustainable and investment-ready capital city.

Officials expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly enhance Awka’s urban development prospects and strengthen the state’s capacity to attract financing for critical infrastructure projects.