Aba Smart City: Can Otti’s Plan Deliver 100,000 Jobs?

As Abia State rolls out one of its most ambitious economic projects in recent years, questions linger about whether the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City (ACSC) can deliver on its ambitious job creation promises. The project claims it will create 25,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs.

During a significant signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Abia State Government, ACSC developers, and the United Market Leaders/Traders in Umuahia, project representatives presented it as a transformative initiative.

The smart city will be built on about 140 hectares of land in Osisioma and is pitched as a mixed-use industrial and commercial hub designed to revamp the economy of Aba.

Promises and Projections

The ACSC technical team says the project will “boost the state’s internally generated revenue and create 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs across sectors like construction, ICT, manufacturing and retail.”

In his remarks conveyed through his Chief of Staff, Governor Dr Alex Otti described the smart city as a “strategic part of Aba that, when completed, will modernise trade, commerce, manufacturing and logistics” and drive “sustainable economic development, economic growth [and] create jobs.”

A City of Commerce, Yet Challenges Ahead

Aba’s status as a commercial center, with major markets like Ekeoha Shopping Centre attracting traders and buyers from across West Africa, raises expectations for any project promising economic revival.

However, experts warn that changing an existing urban center into a smart city is complex. Successful smart cities in other areas often rely on significant infrastructure improvements, reliable power, transportation links, digital broadband, and regulatory changes to make business easier.

The ACSC plans include promises of integrated power, logistics systems, and high-speed digital networks, which are crucial but will need long-term investment and coordination.

Jobs vs. Implementation

Job creation estimates for large development projects often rely on economic models that assume full implementation, successful private sector participation, and stable economic conditions. However, real results can vary.

For instance, while the ACSC team expects up to 125,000 jobs (direct and indirect), this figure, if realized, would surpass employment projections from other recent major infrastructure projects in Abia, which offered smaller job totals.

Ambitious Goals, Cautious Outlook

Can Otti’s plan generate 100,000 jobs? The answer is yes, but only if the smart city project progresses from vision to effective implementation, ongoing investment, and inclusive planning.

The job figures are optimistic, based on projections rather than historical evidence.

As Abia continues to invest in essential infrastructure and engage partners, the smart city’s success will depend on more than just plans and announcements. It will require clear progress, honest reporting, and involvement from the traders and workers whose livelihoods are at stake.