The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Domineum/ Edenbase UK for the development of Abuja Tech City.
Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, signed the agreement on behalf of the government in Abuja on Tuesday.
Regarding Nigeria’s readiness for collaboration, the Minister stated that the signing of the MoU laid the groundwork for the participation of a key player in the Tech City project by establishing a general framework that facilitates collaboration and cooperation for technology transfer between the two UK consortiums and the federal government.
Against the backdrop of the company’s over 61 billion pounds in revenue in its fifth year of operation at the London Tech City, Nnaji expressed hope that Nigeria would replicate the developer’s enormous success.
While adding that Tech Cities are catalysts for rapid industrialization and improved operational synergy in crucial industries, the Minister stated in a post on X announcing the MOU that the Abuja Tech City will be a Free Trade Zone.
“It will be a full-blown smart and green city, complete with tech-driven startups, industries, entertainment, schools, parks, and home to the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology’s Agenda 8 and 9, which include the Clean Tech Program and the Green Manufacturing Initiatives.
“The Abuja Tech City Ecosystem will be developed by the same consortia that did the London Tech City, which has gone on to become the second most valuable Tech Ecosystem on earth after Silicon Valley. So join us on this journey of progress,” the Minister stated.
Originally conceived as Abuja Tech Village (ATV) during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, along with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed major plans for the project.
During a tour to the Pyakassa site, they revealed an ambitious vision: to develop the area into a world-class technological cluster comparable to London’s technological City and Silicon Valley.
The focus on this project grew as squatters were ordered to depart the premises, signalling the start of a transformative path for the region.
The order for unauthorised squatters to evacuate the Abuja Technology Village marks an important step towards realising the project’s potential.
The Minister of FCT emphasised that the indigenous community had been compensated since 2015, and it was time for management to acquire full ownership of the land.