By Chikodili Ideke E.
Rail, ferry, air transport expansion, and an urban tram network have been identified as priority projects for Anambra State under the African Development Bank (AfDB)-supported Awka City Diagnostic Study.
The priorities emerged during a strategic engagement between the Anambra State Ministry of Transport and international consultants from Acciona Engineering, Spain, who are conducting the study under the AfDB City Action Plan to guide future development interventions in the state capital and beyond.
Speaking at the ministry of Transport on 17th June, 2026, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edward Obiefuna Ibuzo, said the study seeks to identify Awka’s most pressing needs and high-impact projects across transportation, infrastructure, housing, land use, environment, power, tourism, and waste management.
Team leader and urban planner Elisa Mussolettini described transportation as a key driver of economic growth and urban development. She said the engagement was designed to assess mobility challenges, infrastructure gaps, and investment opportunities to support long-term growth in Anambra.
Discussions centred on the need for an integrated transport system linking road, rail, air, and water. Stakeholders highlighted rail development as a cornerstone of the state’s long-term mobility strategy, building on the 2024 Draft Rail Transport Master Plan.
Participants also identified Anambra’s waterways as a key asset and explored ferry services to improve connectivity, reduce pressure on roads, and boost economic activity in riverine communities.
The meeting further stressed the need to strengthen operations at the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport through increased airline services and improved connectivity to support trade, tourism, and investment.
As part of Awka’s smart city agenda, stakeholders considered a tram network to provide sustainable mass transit, ease congestion, and enhance urban mobility. Development partners highlighted potential support through international green infrastructure programmes.
Participants emphasized the importance of partnerships among government, development agencies, and private investors to deliver the proposed projects. They expressed confidence that the findings of the Awka City Diagnostic Study would guide future investments and advance Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of a modern, connected, and economically competitive Anambra State.
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