ABIA OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Otti Unveils Aba Commercial Smart City as Africa’s Next Trade Powerhouse

…PPP-driven 140-hectare smart city to create 125,000 jobs, modernise commerce, and restore Aba’s industrial glory

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed that Abia is fully open for business, investor-friendly, and primed for large-scale development in line with his administration’s vision of sustainable economic growth.
The Governor gave this assurance while welcoming members of the Aba Commercial Smart City (ACSC) to Government House, Umuahia, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Aba Commercial Smart City and United Market Leaders/Traders.

The engagement also featured an in-depth presentation of the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City, a strategically located Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment hub sitting on 140 hectares of land at Osisioma, Aba.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Governor Otti described the project as a game-changer that would reposition Aba as a modern industrial and commercial centre, catalysing sustainable economic development and massive job creation.

According to him, the Aba Commercial Smart City is living proof that once the right environment is created, investors naturally respond.
“When we talk about the Aba Commercial Smart City, we are talking about a project that will significantly transform Aba and indeed Abia,” the Governor stated.
“It is a strategic development that will deliver a mixed-use, commercially driven smart city , modernising trade, commerce, manufacturing and logistics. This aligns perfectly with our vision of Aba as a commercial hub and an industrial centre that drives economic growth and job creation.”

Governor Otti recalled that upon assuming office in May 2023, his administration declared a state of emergency in critical sectors, driven by the belief that fixing foundational systems would place Abia on a clear path to development.
“More than two years later, that visionary approach has paid off,” he noted.
“Aba recently marked over 90 days of uninterrupted power supply. What we are witnessing today confirms our belief that when the right atmosphere is created, investors will come. Investors are not emotional; they respond to structure, stability and opportunity.”
Speaking to the press, the Group Managing Director of Aba Commercial Smart City, Professor Chinedu Nebo represented by the President of ACSC, Ambassador Osita Offor described the project as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and a bold statement of Abia’s readiness to play on the global economic stage.

He said the Aba Commercial Smart City is designed to position Abia as a gateway to Africa’s commerce and industrial revolution, restoring Aba’s historic pride as the continent’s commercial heartbeat.
“With integrated power systems, a high-speed digital backbone and specialised districts, ACSC stands as a beacon of modernity and resilience,” he said.
“It promises jobs, skills acquisition and urban renewal, while positioning Abia as a centre of excellence in manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality and technology.”

In his remarks, the Group Vice Chairman of ACSC and former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Mike Okiro, commended Governor Otti for restoring Aba’s lost glory as Nigeria’s commercial and industrial hub. He disclosed that strong investor confidence is already evident, with substantial funds being committed to ensure timely delivery of the project for the benefit of Abians and Nigerians at large.

Delivering the technical presentation, the Manager of Technical Services, Aba Commercial Smart City, Mr. David Okoro, explained that the project is anchored on four core pillars of innovation: Automated Manufacturing and Medical Services; Commerce, Hospitality and Smart Housing; Logistics Efficiency; and Smart Energy.
He noted that the city is designed as a resilient, technology-driven ecosystem where businesses thrive on intelligence, connectivity and efficiency.

According to him, the integration of an e-commerce platform with bonded terminals will eliminate long-standing challenges faced by importers, enabling seamless cross-border transactions from home with goods delivered directly to end users.
Mr. Okoro added that the economic impact of the project would be far-reaching, boosting Abia’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while creating over 25,000 direct jobs and more than 100,000 indirect jobs across construction, ICT, manufacturing and retail.
“The Aba Commercial Smart City will provide a permanent relocation solution, offering technology-driven facilities designed for ease of business, healthy living and long-term sustainability,” he said.

Earlier, the Governor’s representative conducted members of the Aba Commercial Smart City on a tour of key projects executed by the present administration within Government House, Umuahia underscoring the government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal and investor confidence.

With the Aba Commercial Smart City, Abia State is not just making a promise,it is building a future where enterprise, innovation and prosperity converge.