Centenary City: Abuja’s $18bn “Smart City” project restarts after years of stalling

After years of delays, the Centenary City project, conceived as a 1,300-hectare “smart city” on the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital, is moving back into active development with new partners and a renewed push from the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

The development, located about 15 minutes from central Abuja, was first announced in 2014 as a flagship urban renewal initiative to mark Nigeria’s 100th anniversary.

Managing Director of the Project, Dr Odenigwe Ike Micheals, Jr, in hisWelcome address at a coliseum on Tuesday in Abuja, said the project was structured as a public-private partnership: Centenary City PLC, a consortium of 40 local and international investors holding 95% equity, partnered with the Federal Government through Abuja Investment Company Ltd, which holds 5%.

Master-planned by Emaar chairman Sheikh Mohammed Alabbar, the site was declared a free trade zone the same year. Centenary City Free Zone Company serves as the free zone manager, while Centenary City Free Zone Enterprise acts as the master developer.

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-A Stalled Vision Returns-

Construction slowed after initial groundwork, but officials say work is resuming on primary infrastructure. The project’s management says the aim is to create a mixed-use city that integrates residential, commercial, tourism and recreational zones within a walkable, 15-minute urban layout.

Key planned components include five-star hotels and serviced apartments, an international convention center, a “Mall of Africa,” a championship golf course and polo estate, an industrial park, a free zone business area, an African arts museum, and healthcare and education facilities.

“Centenary City FZE is the master developer and is not in competition with other developers,” the company said. “The idea of engaging reputable developers is to guarantee development according to the original master plan.”

-New Partnerships, New Momentum-

The restart comes with backing from the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has prioritized infrastructure and urban planning reforms in Abuja. Centenary City said it is working with Julius Berger and Dar Al-Handasah on infrastructure delivery.

Recent partners include Fifth Chukker, which plans two polo fields, a polo estate, clubhouse and stables on 45 hectares, and Hybrid Motors, which is developing an electric vehicle manufacturing plant under the Acely® brand on 3 to 5 hectares. Discussions are also underway for a championship golf course, golf estate, five-star hotel and 739 residential units on 192 hectares.

-A Model for Urban Growth?-

Project officials frame Centenary City as a response to Abuja’s sprawling, car-dependent growth. The concept follows the “15-minute city” model, where residents can access work, shopping, schools and leisure within walking distance, reducing emissions and infrastructure costs.

“By blending housing, workplaces, shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and parks into one walkable community, Centenary City promises a smarter, healthier, and more human way to live,” the company said.

Supporters argue that high-density, mixed-use developments can improve land use efficiency, lower per-unit infrastructure costs, and foster socioeconomic integration compared to traditional single-use zoning seen in districts like Asokoro, Maitama and Gwarinpa.

Critics have previously questioned the project’s slow progress and its relevance to Nigeria’s broader housing deficit. The government has not disclosed updated investment figures, but earlier estimates placed the total development cost at around $18 billion.

-What’s Next-

With infrastructure work resuming, Centenary City’s developers say the immediate focus is delivering utilities, roads and shared services to attract private developers to build within the free zone. The goal, they say, is to raise Abuja’s profile as an investment destination and create a new urban template for sub-Saharan Africa.

“Anything of good value and glory will take time,” the company said. “The future we want — more sustainable, more connected, more human — won’t appear on its own. We must build it.”