Enugu, Nigeria — The Enugu State Government has formalized a groundbreaking $100 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) agreement with Austrian firm WANDE Nexus to implement the Sustainable Last Mile Connectivity and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project in Enugu City.
The agreement, signed on Monday at the Government House in Enugu in the presence of Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Thomas Schlesinger, aims to modernize water infrastructure, improve service delivery, and ensure equitable access to clean water for all households in the city.
A Historic Investment
Speaking at the event, Governor Peter Mbah hailed the agreement as a significant step in addressing the state’s water distribution challenges, noting that it represents a model collaboration between sub-national and international stakeholders.
“We now have an investment of $100 million to decisively address the last mile connection in our water system,” said Mbah.
“This demonstrates that the Federal Government’s economic reforms and our efforts to position Enugu as a premier destination for investment are yielding results. This is a major FDI achievement not just for Enugu State but for Nigeria as a whole.”
The Governor explained that while his administration had increased water production from 2 million liters per day to 120 million liters, the main challenge was expanding the distribution network to connect homes.
“With this agreement, we are tackling the downstream sector of our water infrastructure, while the state government continues to invest in the upstream sector. By 2025, we aim to grow our water production capacity to 200 million liters per day,” Mbah added.
Austrian Government’s Support
Austrian Ambassador Thomas Schlesinger expressed his government’s strong support for the investment and commended Governor Mbah’s commitment to improving water access in Enugu.
“I wish to laud His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah for his vision to transform water management systems in Enugu City, ensuring equitable access to clean water,” said Schlesinger.
“This $100 million investment is a testament to his excellent work and his commitment to fostering strong international relationships.”
Schlesinger also praised the leadership of WANDE Nexus Chairman, Dr. Ugochukwu Ugbor, who he described as uniquely qualified to drive the project’s success.
“Dr. Ugbor has over 20 years of experience in Austria addressing critical infrastructure and sustainability challenges. His leadership will be instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives,” he noted.
A Long-Term Commitment
Governor Mbah highlighted the comprehensive nature of the agreement, which has progressed from a memorandum of understanding to a concession agreement within eight months. The project funds are expected to flow immediately, enabling the procurement of meters and the rollout of last-mile connectivity to households.
This investment complements the state government’s ongoing efforts to enhance water production and distribution. It also reflects Enugu’s growing attractiveness as a hub for international investment, aligning with the state’s vision for sustainable development and improved quality of life for its citizens.
This partnership signals a major leap forward in addressing Enugu’s water challenges, setting a precedent for other states in Nigeria seeking sustainable infrastructure solutions.