The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has urged American investors and partners to deepen collaboration with Nigeria in smart cities, housing, and ICT sectors, describing Abuja as Africa’s next hub for innovation and sustainable urban growth.
Mahmoud made the pitch on Wednesday at the 8th edition of the US–Africa Business Week 2025, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to her, Abuja’s prime location, modern infrastructure, and a youthful, educated population position it as a strategic destination for foreign investment.
She pointed to ambitious projects like the Centenary City and the World Trade Centre as proof of Nigeria’s vision to transform its capital into a global smart city.
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“With Africa’s smart city market projected to hit $1.5 billion this year, Abuja is poised to play a central role,” Mahmoud told participants.
She highlighted Nigeria’s youth and women as “key drivers of economic growth,” noting that over 70 percent of Abuja’s residents are under 35, while women are increasingly taking up leadership roles.
The minister called on U.S. partners to explore Abuja’s “innovative land swap housing model,” invest in ICT solutions, smart grids, tech hubs, data centres, and software firms, and tap into the resilience and creativity of Nigeria’s youthful population.
“American innovation and Nigerian resilience can together build sustainable urban growth models that will define Africa’s future,” she said, urging participants to turn “dialogue into action.”
The high-level session was attended by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, alongside policymakers, investors, and business leaders from both the United States and Africa.
Mahmoud stressed that the FCT Administration was committed to building “bridges of innovation, inclusion, and prosperity” between Africa and the U.S., saying the collaboration could deliver a “legacy of innovation and mutual benefit.”
