- The Federal Government has thrown its full support behind the Abuja CityWalk project, a massive 250-hectare private sector-led development designed to transform Nigeria’s capital into a global economic and tourism center.
- The master plan features Africa’s tallest skyscraper, a mega tower projected to exceed 415 meters, alongside the continent’s largest indoor multipurpose arena and a dedicated “Abuja Silicon Valley” technology ecosystem.
- Situated along the strategic Abuja Airport Expressway, the entire district has been granted Free Trade Zone status, eliminating administrative friction and providing legal protections to secure foreign and domestic capital.
The Federal Government has officially backed the multibillion-dollar Abuja CityWalk project, describing it as a landmark private sector-driven urban development that will elevate the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into a premier continental hub for technology, commerce, and tourism.
Eko Hot Blog reports that president Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, delivered the endorsement during the high-profile unveiling of the Abuja CityWalk Experience Centre and the formal launch of the district’s ambitious master plan in the nation’s capital.
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Spanning 250 hectares of prime land along the high-growth Abuja Airport Expressway corridor, the mixed-use smart city represents an unprecedented collaboration between state development goals and private investment capital.
The massive urban district will feature integrated residential estates, luxury hotels, a knowledge park with two private universities, specialized diagnostic hospitals, shopping malls, and premium recreation centers.
Most notably, the developers announced plans for a groundbreaking skyscraper engineered to reach over 415 meters in height, which will become Africa’s tallest building upon completion, alongside Africa’s largest indoor multipurpose arena.
Delivering the President’s keynote address, Vice President Shettima stated that the launch of the Experience Centre stands as a physical manifestation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, bridging the gap between political infrastructure promises and active execution.
The development is driven by Link Development alongside Broadgate Development Group, serving as construction management advisers, and Benoy, the internationally acclaimed master planners behind global landmarks like Dubai CityWalk and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.
Ibrahim Gidado, Executive Director of Link Development, explained that the master plan takes architectural inspiration from global models but adapts them on a grander, walkable, and climate-responsive scale specifically customized to fit Abuja’s socio-cultural environment.
He added that the launch marks a key milestone delivered on schedule to commemorate the third anniversary of the administration, following fast-tracked development approvals facilitated by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike within the Abuja Technology Village corridor.
To maximize its appeal to multinational corporations, the federal government confirmed that the entire development corridor has been granted a specialized free trade zone status.
Peter Young, CEO of Broadgate Development Group, emphasized that this economic designation gives the site a tremendous competitive advantage across West Africa by completely removing trade frictions, cutting administrative bottlenecks, and establishing a fertile ground for high-end hospitality and regional corporate offices.
The project has already secured substantial funding commitments from high-level international consortia, including a Saudi Arabian investor group led by Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid bin Turki Al Saud, alongside the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council.
Reflecting its engineering and design sophistication, Benoy architect Neil Sirridge revealed that the project has already earned international acclaim, being shortlisted by the World Architecture Festival for both Best New Master Plan and Best Landscape Master Plan.
Designed for systematic, phased implementation over a ten-year horizon, the first phase will prioritize the construction of the mega-tower, the indoor sports and entertainment arena, and fully immersive investor club facilities.
This allows prospective buyers to physically interact with the emerging smart city as it reshapes the economic landscape of Nigeria.
