Nigeria’s Cross River State Collaborates with Huawei to Transform its Capital into a Smart City

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade is taking a step towards the future. He is setting the ball rolling on the transformation of the state capital, Calabar, into a smart city, backed by the technological powerhouse, Huawei.

Under the newly inked deal, Huawei will install fibre optic cables in homes across the capital. Governor Ayade remarked, “This is the first time data will be available from the cloud. With the digital cloud, information can be accessed easily and comfortably, boosting research and academic works.” He explained that the noble venture is a partnership with Huawei of China, the equipment manufacturer, and Sino Infrastructure Development Company Limited, the technical partner in Nigeria. The outcome is anticipated to provide affordable connectivity, leveraging Huawei’s world-renowned technology to benefit the local population.

The state Commissioner for ICT, Chief Offu Aya, hailed Huawei for its robust success in China. He recalled a study trip to China, a country with more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, and expressed admiration for how Huawei turned the entire country into a thriving smart city. He revealed, “We have returned with a detailed report. Today is a unique day for the ministry, as before the carnival, the pilot scheme will be ready where there will be free Wi-Fi services. This will elevate Calabar as the first smart city in Nigeria, enhancing the communication experience for Cross Riverians and Nigerians.”

According to Li Yamping, the Managing Director of Sino Infrastructure Development Company, Huawei and the Cross River Government will share the responsibility as technical partners on the project. They have pledged to maintain the required standards and deliver on time.

With a population of 3.7 million people, and roughly 380,000 residents in Calabar, Cross River state may not be the largest, but it attracts attention with its vibrant tourism industry. The state is the home of top attractions such as Tinapa and the Obudu Cattle Ranch, which attract tourists from Nigeria and the world over. It is then logical to match the state’s potential with advanced technology. Just like its western counterparts, it can offer tourists internet-based maps among other digital conveniences.

This partnership marks an important milestone in leveraging technology to improve the experience for residents and tourists. As Cross River state advances towards becoming Nigeria’s first smart city, the local population looks forward to the city’s digital transformation.

[Updated: The inclusion of modern technology in the city of Calabar has aimed for the standardization and enhancement of communication and research for its residents. As of 2025, the partnership has continued to uphold its promise to provide affordable access to the latest technological advancements, working tirelessly to uphold quality standards.]