Make it in Abia
Aba has made shoes, bags, and clothes for generations. New power and new industrial land are changing what is possible next.
Talk to usA workshop economy
Aba is one of the busiest commercial cities in West Africa, known for the cottage and small-scale industries that make leather goods and fabrics. A 2020 cluster-mapping study of the garment and leather sectors counted about 21,000 people working in them.
That is the “Made in Aba” story: many small workshops, clustered close together, learning from one another.
Where the work happens
| Cluster | Where | What is made |
|---|---|---|
| Leather goods | Ariaria Market | Shoes in the Bakassi, Power Line, and Shoe Plaza sub-clusters; bags in the Nwaogu sub-cluster |
| Garments | Aba city centre | Mass-produced apparel at Garment Village; bespoke apparel at the Ekeoha Shopping Centre cluster |
Source: Made in Aba cluster mapping study, 2020.
What is changing
Public reports point to four developments worth following.
Power
The 141 MW Aba Integrated Power Project was commissioned in February 2024. It supplies a ring-fenced zone covering nine local governments, including Aba.
Enyimba Economic City
A planned special economic zone of about 9,800 hectares across Ukwa West, Ukwa East, and Ugwunagbo. Its developers describe a first phase of 1,499 hectares with a rail-linked inland port.
A new airport
Construction of the new Abia airport, designed for cargo and passengers, was flagged off in 2024 at Umunna Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North.
Skills and research
Michael Okpara University and the new Manu-Tech UniPod bring research and manufacturing technology to Umudike.
Learn moreDo your homework
Project timelines shift. Confirm the current status of any project, land title, or incentive with the relevant government office before you commit money. Figures here come from public reports and the sources named on this page.
Tell us what you are looking for
Write to hello@abiaarise.ng with your sector, your preferred location, and what you need. We will point you towards the right office.