A new smart city is set to emerge in Port Harcourt, as Japaul Infrastructure Limited and Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd. have entered into a strategic partnership to launch the Japaul Kwati Smart City.
The development is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing housing deficit and improving planned urban infrastructure in the South-South region.
The project, which will span 144 hectares of land opposite the Ignatius University of Education in the Iwofe area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, is expected to feature residential layouts, commercial zones, green areas, and a fully integrated infrastructure system to support sustainable urban living.
According to the Group Managing Director of Japaul Infrastructure Limited, Mr. Jegede Abiodun Paul, the initiative is part of a broader effort to introduce structured urban planning in Nigeria’s rapidly growing cities.
“We’ve seen the effects of unplanned development across many parts of the country. What we’re doing here is starting with a strong layout and putting the basic infrastructure in place before anything else. This kind of planning is what gives a city room to grow properly,” he said.
Mr. Wisdom Kwati, Chairman of Wisdom Kwati Smart City Ltd., said the project would prioritize livability and sustainability. Drawing from the company’s previous experience in similar developments, Kwati noted that the Port Harcourt smart city would offer long-term value to residents through thoughtful planning and modern infrastructure.
“Our goal is not just to sell plots. We’re creating a city people can live in comfortably, with proper drainage, good roads, green spaces, and systems that support everyday life. It’s time to move past the era of building without plans,” Kwati stated.
Though privately funded and not directly linked to any government housing programme, the project aligns with broader federal and state-level appeals for greater private sector involvement in infrastructure and housing delivery. With Nigeria’s urbanization rate exceeding 52 percent, demand for housing in major cities such as Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Benin has continued to rise, placing pressure on existing public utilities and land.
In Rivers State, calls have intensified for better-organized development to reduce the strain on overstretched urban areas. Experts say projects like the Japaul Kwati Smart City could help bridge the gap between housing demand and supply, particularly in high-density regions.
While the developers have yet to announce the number of housing units, preliminary planning documents indicate that the estate will include residential clusters, commercial hubs, and integrated utility and energy infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin following the completion of regulatory approvals and land surveys.
