JABI LAKEFRONT DEV. PROJECT|ABUJA|APPROVED

An arrangement to build the Jabi Lakefront worth $1.5 billion (US Dollars).
The Minister, who made this disclosure yesterday in Abuja, while receiving a delegation of Old Mutual Investment Group, Duval Properties Limited and Louis Karol Architects in his office, assured that the FCT Administration would accelerate all approvals needed for this all important project...The clearing of the site would commence in earnest, as the ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for the first week of October 2008.


*A South African OMIGPI is developing a waterfront mixed-use property that includes about 30000m² of retail, two hotels, and an office and residential component.

NAME: Jabi Lakefront Development Project
LOCATION: Abuja - Nigeria
USE:Liesure/Tourism
STATUS: Approved(Commense Oct.2008)
COST: $1.5 billion US dollars
Architect:Louis Karol

do you have any renders

It sounds like is gonna be a cool project. Its good for Abuja so as to prove to the world that they can host Commonwealth games in years to come.

Well said, Pule.

i got some renders for you guys of this project

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2976211836_2df5838d1a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2976212318_e7e6d1287c_o.jpg

its awesome

Damn, now that's a nice project. I've shown this to my wife, along with some of the new, recent pics of Abuja showing all the construction going on in the city.. and she's amazing stated that she'd be willing to take a trip back to Naija in a few years to visit Abuja. This is good news, because in the past she's sworn to never go back after having two past bad visits. She's Nigerian-American though was born and raised here in the US... and has only visited Nigeria on two occasions way back when she was 11 and then again when she was 20. She hated it both times, and now she's 29 and still has no desire to go back yet.

cool!

that skyscraper could be africa's tallest.( 40+ floors)

Investors to Develop Jabi Lake

Ngozi Ata-Olori


Jabi lakefront in the Federal Capital Territory will soon wear a new look following plans by a South African investor to develop the area.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Abuja, the FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, while receiving a delegation of Old Mutual Investment Group, Dural Properties Limited and Louis Karol Architects, said the development will cost the investor a total of $1.5 billion.


He added that his administration would accelerate all approvals needed for the laudable project.

According to him, the investors have promised that the consortium has 75 per cent of the $1.5 billion (over N180 billion) in its kitty that, he said, would enable them execute the project with ease.

Modibbo noted that the clearing of the site would commence soon, while the ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for the first week of October 2008.

He said the construction would start in December and would be completed in two years in order to fast-track Abuja into an international tourists, destination.

The minister, therefore, directed FCTA department of development control to, within two weeks, give preliminary approval to the building plans to serve as an encouragement to the international investors.

He reiterated his administration's determination to woo investors to the territory to make it a better place and compete favourably with other developed countries.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Bello Garba, said the Jabi Dam would be dredged to attract more tourists to Abuja.

He said the integrated development would comprise a hybrid luxury building that would accommodate a first class office complex, a 400 room five star hotel, in addition to a three star hotel to cater for the working class and a state of the art 1,000 shopping mall.

allafrica.com (http://allafrica.com/stories/200808130757.html)

were is jabi lake? can any one show me on google earth?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2980323310_5ef6b9f917.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2979466165_37b0497ece.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2979482871_f7fbee0d33.jpg?v=0

Fantastic!!!

that skyscraper could be africa's tallest.( 40+ floors)


But Africa already has several 40+ floor buildings. The likes of Carlton Centre in Johannesburg which
is 55 floors and 36 years old comes to mind here. I see you have not been in Africa for a while? LOL

*thanks qymekkam for the pics.


But Africa already has several 40+ floor buildings. The likes of Carlton Centre in Johannesburg which is 55 floors and 36 years old comes to mind here. I see you have not been in Africa for a while? LOL


I guess you haven't heard of the ceiling factor. As you say the Carlton Centre is 36 years old. Old buildings tend to have lower ceiling height than the newer buildings.To give some examples,.....the One Astor Plaza in New York, was built in 1972 (same year as the Carlton Center), stands at a height of 227 meters (745 ft) and has 54 floors. But the Bank of America Tower in NY, built in 2008, and stands at a height of 366m (1,200 ft) and has 54 floors also.

*thanks qymekkam for the pics.





I guess you haven't heard of the ceiling factor. As you say the Carlton Centre is 36 years old. Old buildings tend to have lower ceiling height than the newer buildings.To give some examples,.....the One Astor Plaza in New York, was built in 1972 (same year as the Carlton Center), stands at a height of 227 meters (745 ft) and has 54 floors. But the Bank of America Tower in NY, built in 2008, and stands at a height of 366m (1,200 ft) and has 54 floors also.That`s not the issue! The issue is floor count. SA already has over 40 - floor building.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2979466165_37b0497ece.jpg?v=0

so are they going to tear down those houses or expand the lake and make the dam bigger?

i was wondering the same thing. and also because this map is from 2004, im presumming that this area is way more developed.

i was wondering the same thing. and also because this map is from 2004, im presumming that this area is way more developed.
Here are relatively recent pictures of Jabi Lake...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q4Vq7yzQvMk/SMAwq5REhCI/AAAAAAAABpI/F69AWy5g5XA/s400/P8314284s.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q4Vq7yzQvMk/SMA0n55qhJI/AAAAAAAABqg/bnzBMdqTQH0/s400/P8314272s.jpg

That`s not the issue! The issue is floor count. SA already has over 40 - floor building.

I think what he is saying is relevant, those buildings in SA are 40+ but as they are shorter than the Carlton Center have a pretty compact floor height, so his point remains relevant.

One way to look at it, is to weigh up the costs, and work out if realistically the height of the building can be 250m + considering there are other developments along with it.

i was wondering the same thing. and also because this map is from 2004, im presumming that this area is way more developed.

yes, there are some demolitions that are planned. I saw a budget of roughly $160 million for land + demolitions. there is no breakdown on how much the land costs and how much will be spent on compensation of property owners along the lake.

here's another picture that shows which part of the lake will form part
of the development.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2987091735_e1310ce766_o.jpg

Thanks for posting the Renderings and Plan here Kulani, it looks great.
Such development and agreements between African Countries is really encouraging. :cheers:

:eek:

Not only that --- it`s the best way Africa can progress,Tbite.

that´s a dream come true.

Nigeria needs malls like these, Dubai and Asia style dimension.:banana:

Thriving for excellence!:cheers:

thats a good profect

Abuja becomes Luandesque ^^
... Abuja boulevard / New waterfront / Stratosphere ... thats 3 great projects for a city of it size ... i think it will be one of thoses fast growing cities of sub saharian Africa ...

Yeah but it seems the Stratosphere is only just proposed.

What's the state of the Jabi-Lake project at the moment?

Does anybody know the status of this project at the moment?

This is a laudable project! futuristic design.

This is a laudable project! futuristic design.

Oh! The land clearing commenced as at mid November 2008.

i was wondering the same thing. and also because this map is from 2004, im presumming that this area is way more developed.


Jabi Lake 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/3040452559_4ee7941887.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2950800305_57199329cc.jpg?v=0

Meaning, nothing is done yet!?

im sure theres more to the lake than that

Meaning, nothing is done yet!?

Construction isn't planned yet I think.

Kulani said Demolitions were slated but I haven't read anywhere that construction was due yet.

Am so anxious to seen this project realised.

edit wrong post.

here's another picture that shows which part of the lake will form part
of the development.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2987091735_e1310ce766_o.jpg
1.5 km strech of land will be used for this project! That makes it just the most gigantic project going to happen to abuja.

Inside the mall

http://www.louiskarol.com/images/projects/bridge7.jpg

wow. this defintely needs to get built. i really like the ceiling. i dont know why but it reminds me of JFK's international terminal.

is that a beach outside. if it is that would work well with the project.

Cool!

Jabi Lake Artist impressions.

1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2976212318_e7e6d1287c_o.jpg


2.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2976211836_2df5838d1a_o.jpg

Jabi Lake scenario.
3.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q4Vq7yzQvMk/SMAxWgdTZvI/AAAAAAAABpw/TIhPgzsTSJ8/s400/P8314252s.jpg

I guess another one bites the dust?

Yes! Just for a reminder that artist impressions are already existing buildings in SA. It would be better to have something else not in existing Africa.

http://www.louiskarol.com/images/projects/bridge7.jpg

a truly nice mall!:cheers: Now I understand wwhy he spoke about world class

Yes! Lovely mall indeed!

True Matt, that's a stunner. I hope the project is progressing well.

I think the designing is still much in progressa as well as the planning.

ive noticed a lot of trucks coming in and out of jabi lake. i dont know if its related to this project though

the project is........WOW!!!
Probably the most ambitious project in Abuja so far!?

sUqXbhmQ_7Q

Wow nice vid.

I sincerely disagree with the slow handling of the project.There has been lost of focus and I think that is due to circumstances we are yet to be told of.We are quite aware of how Nigerian projects go through decade before them are realized, and this is not going to be an exception. This will bring to mind, why Nigerian govt. dabbles with important projects which can be of great benefit to the citizens and development of the nation.

It is very sad to know how the conditions of infrastructure in that country are ina deplorable state. There is no two ways about that that the govt. are very negligent of provision of valuable infrastructure to meet the growing demand for them.

Let's just take this Jabi Lake project for example. The promise made by the minister on how fast the construction is going to be above schedule is now absurd as little has been done on anything yet. The last time I read anything about the project was that the clearing of the plot has commenced and it's been over a year now. I doubt this project will be done according to schedule.

Are there any recent pictures of the site or is anyone close to the site that can see if anything is going on? This project probably didnt go on time due to the slow yar'adua govt. they have done absolutely nothing all the time in govt. now that new ministers will be appointed hopefully they will take another look at the project and speed up its development.

Are there any recent pictures of the site or is anyone close to the site that can see if anything is going on? This project probably didnt go on time due to the slow yar'adua govt. they have done absolutely nothing all the time in govt. now that new ministers will be appointed hopefully they will take another look at the project and speed up its development.

yea but isnt this a private sector financed project entirely?
i mean yar adua is incompetent,but i dont think this one is his fault,blame it on the global financial crises
even in the usa and london,lots of proposed towers have been halted or postponed
and the world trade centre new towers is still not built after 9yrs

Are there any recent pictures of the site or is anyone close to the site that can see if anything is going on? This project probably didnt go on time due to the slow yar'adua govt. they have done absolutely nothing all the time in govt. now that new ministers will be appointed hopefully they will take another look at the project and speed up its development.

I visited Jabi Lake Resort yesterday, unfortunately the SD card in my BB got fried somehow as such I have no pictures. What I can say is the pictures taken back in Oct '08 by poster 'JoblessBeggar' are near accurate of what the waters look like today, though heavily polluted and most of the lake shore is bordered by layers of consumer waste. The pictures taken back in Jan '09 by poster 'GAR3TH' are way off the scale of near accurate depictions when you factor in unkempt walkways, broken lighting fixtures, horse dung all over the parched lawns. There is no visible sign of development other than an isolated 1/4 acre of land, on the north side of the lake, where there is a single structure in very early stages of development.

The gates leading into the park were locked and the main point of entry is a meandering walkway, three feet wide, set between a deep gully, from erosion, and the end of the wire fence that borders the perimeter of the parkland. When I asked if the gates open, I was told they stay locked all the time and the entry point is as I described. I drove around the surrounding hectares of land marked for the planned project and it is similarly showing no signs of development of any kind.

As you rightly mentioned, it is somewhat indicative of the administrations' ineptitude and, I might add, heightened levels of uncertainty that always accompany major projects, more so, locally. The hope of new ministers making a difference to the speed of development may be anything but a case of seeing is believing.

I need to take pictures of the location anyway and will also post them here sometime this week.

I visited Jabi Lake Resort yesterday, unfortunately the SD card in my BB got fried somehow as such I have no pictures. What I can say is the pictures taken back in Oct '08 by poster 'JoblessBeggar' are near accurate of what the waters look like today, though heavily polluted and most of the lake shore is bordered by layers of consumer waste. The pictures taken back in Jan '09 by poster 'GAR3TH' are way off the scale of near accurate depictions when you factor in unkempt walkways, broken lighting fixtures, horse dung all over the parched lawns. There is no visible sign of development other than an isolated 1/4 acre of land, on the north side of the lake, where there is a single structure in very early stages of development.

The gates leading into the park were locked and the main point of entry is a meandering walkway, three feet wide, set between a deep gully, from erosion, and the end of the wire fence that borders the perimeter of the parkland. When I asked if the gates open, I was told they stay locked all the time and the entry point is as I described. I drove around the surrounding hectares of land marked for the planned project and it is similarly showing no signs of development of any kind.

As you rightly mentioned, it is somewhat indicative of the administrations' ineptitude and, I might add, heightened levels of uncertainty that always accompany major projects, more so, locally. The hope of new ministers making a difference to the speed of development may be anything but a case of seeing is believing.

I need to take pictures of the location anyway and will also post them here sometime this week.

:uh::uh::uh:

I visited Jabi Lake Resort yesterday, unfortunately the SD card in my BB got fried somehow as such I have no pictures. What I can say is the pictures taken back in Oct '08 by poster 'JoblessBeggar' are near accurate of what the waters look like today, though heavily polluted and most of the lake shore is bordered by layers of consumer waste. The pictures taken back in Jan '09 by poster 'GAR3TH' are way off the scale of near accurate depictions when you factor in unkempt walkways, broken lighting fixtures, horse dung all over the parched lawns. There is no visible sign of development other than an isolated 1/4 acre of land, on the north side of the lake, where there is a single structure in very early stages of development.

The gates leading into the park were locked and the main point of entry is a meandering walkway, three feet wide, set between a deep gully, from erosion, and the end of the wire fence that borders the perimeter of the parkland. When I asked if the gates open, I was told they stay locked all the time and the entry point is as I described. I drove around the surrounding hectares of land marked for the planned project and it is similarly showing no signs of development of any kind.

As you rightly mentioned, it is somewhat indicative of the administrations' ineptitude and, I might add, heightened levels of uncertainty that always accompany major projects, more so, locally. The hope of new ministers making a difference to the speed of development may be anything but a case of seeing is believing.

I need to take pictures of the location anyway and will also post them here sometime this week.

:doh:

As you rightly mentioned, it is somewhat indicative of the administrations' ineptitude and, I might add, heightened levels of uncertainty that always accompany major projects, more so, locally.

again before u start blaming. . i have to ask u(as u are on location in abuja). .

is this not a totally private affair?
i mean u cant blame the govt,if the investors are not bringing in the necessary funds
am sure the FCTs only attachment to this project is to provide the land and monitor the construction
just like in the Eko atlantic city of lagos. .

i know this because i usually follow all FCT approved budgets,and there is no mention of this project in there
the projects the FCT is financing directly include the
- - 10 lane express airport roads,kubwa roads
- - millenium tower
- - abuja lite rail. . .

and many more. . .so lets not go blaming the FCT for something they have no control over
my theory is that the banks that were supposed to finance this project,put it on hold cause of the global crises,and later on the sanusi tsunami. . .

hope its not been cancelled. .but even if it is. . .some new architects or company will spring up with something better

again before u start blaming. . i have to ask u(as u are on location in abuja). .

is this not a totally private affair?
i mean u cant blame the govt,if the investors are not bringing in the necessary funds
am sure the FCTs only attachment to this project is to provide the land and monitor the construction
just like in the Eko atlantic city of lagos. .

i know this because i usually follow all FCT approved budgets,and there is no mention of this project in there
the projects the FCT is financing directly include the
- - 10 lane express airport roads,kubwa roads
- - millenium tower
- - abuja lite rail. . .

and many more. . .so lets not go blaming the FCT for something they have no control over
my theory is that the banks that were supposed to finance this project,put it on hold cause of the global crises,and later on the sanusi tsunami. . .

hope its not been cancelled. .but even if it is. . .some new architects or company will spring up with something better



Oh. Well I was thinking that it was bureaucracy that was getting in way. Maybe having to wait for some permit or approval that's being delayed. If the FCT has given them all necessary permits then it's probably the global economic crisis that may have them putting things on hold.

Villager X's description is spot on, but I still believe that this project is likely to eventually come to fruition.

Keem is a really big player (particularly in Abuja circles), so if he is really committed to the project, it is more likely than not to get done. I don't think permits would be the cause of any delay (although the requisite EIA might be). Rather, because of the scale and quality the developers have in mind, financing is more likely to cause any delays.

im guessing dis is dead

http://i48.tinypic.com/b4jkv5.jpg

:rofl:

Actis, Duval Properties to build Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja
Tue, 2013-04-16
Author(s): Chuka Uroko



As part of its real estate development plan for sub Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, Actis, a leading private equity investor, has entered into a strategic partnership with Duval Properties for the development of Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja.

Construction is expected to commence in June 2013 after all the necessary government approvals.

The new retail centre will offer 30,000 square metres of grade-A shopping space from a prime location on the shores of Jabi Lake. The mall is expected to be anchored by Shoprite and Game, providing a one-stop leisure, restaurant and retail destination just 10 minutes drive from the city’s business centre.

Jabi Lake Mall follows the success of other Actis malls in Nigeria, namely The Palms and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos.

Actis Head of Real Estate, David Morley said: “Actis is delighted to partner with Duval Properties and to move closer to delivering a top quality shopping experience to the citizens of Abuja.

The Nigerian capital boasts of strong population growth fundamentals, a robust infrastructure, and a thriving consumer class; drawing on our extensive track record in West Africa, we feel optimistic about what we can achieve here.”

Hakeem Belo Osagie, Chairman of Duval Properties, said, “Duval’s vision for Jabi Lake is to create a vibrant, mixed-use water-font community that is Abuja’s best place to live, work, and relax. Our partnership with Actis to build a waterfront mall is an exciting first step toward achieving this vision.”

Charles Russell (UK) and F.O. Akinrele & Co. (Nigeria) acted as legal advisors to Actis. Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (Nigeria) and SNR Denton (UK) and McCabe & Partners (Mauritius) acted as legal financial advisors to Duval respectively.

Since 2006, Actis has developed 10 institutional quality assets in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa including The Junction in Nairobi, and Accra Mall in Accra.





source (http://businessdaynigeria.com/actis-duval-properties-build-jabi-lake-mall-abuja)

Jabi Lake Masterplan in Abuja submitted for planning. Residential component shortlisted for award.

February 18, 2013


Studio Seilern Architects were commissioned to design a 31 hectare waterfront masterplan for Duval Properties Ltd in Abuja, Nigeria. We have just returned from Abuja where we presented the Master Plan to the chief planning officer and his team which was very positively received.

Studio Seilern Architects are the lead architects and masterplanners for the scheme and are delighted to be working on this project with Buro Happold for engineering services, landscape designers Hyland Edgar Driver and cost consultants Currie & Brown.

Situated on Jabi Lake the project aims to create a new destination for the city. A place to live, work, shop, be entertained and above all, to enjoy.

A FLEXIBLE MASTERPLAN

A loose arrangement of these building clusters creates the possibility of a flexible plan that generates multiple aspect residential units.

PHASING

A flexible approach to the phased growth of the site, where committing to the size of the building can easily be adapted over time.

BREAKING DOWN THE SCALE

Rather than committing to a cluster of larger buildings, we chose to break the building units into clusters of two, three or four components. Achieving both density + retaining a human scale and mutiple roof gardens.

A ORGANIC SCHEME

The flexibility that the residential tower can offer allows for potential high rise buildings to be positioned alongside the street and cascading low rise buildings towards the lakefront creating variable skylines.


source (http://www.studioseilern.com/#/jabi-lake-02/4573741744)

Studio Seilern designs new community in Nigeria's capital
Jan 14, 2013


Studio Seilern Architects were commissioned to design a 35 hectare waterfront masterplan in Abuja, Nigeria. Situated on Jabi Lake the project aims to create a new destination for the city.

An important concept was the creation of a waterfront promenade that connects the elements of the site to each other and also to the rest of the lake, ensuring that this is a flexible and open development, not a closed one.

Rather than committing to a cluster of larger buildings, the architects chose to break the building units into clusters of two, three or four components. A loose arrangement of these building clusters creates the possibility of a flexible plan that generates multiple aspect residential units. It allows for a flexible approach to the phased growth of the site, where committing to the size of the building can easily be adapted over time.

The flexibility that the residential tower can offer allows for potential high rise buildings to be positioned alongside the street and cascading low rise buildings towards the lakefront creating variable skylines. In plan, a series of units measuring 15m x 15m of two units each are arranged at varying angles to each other, forming differently shaped gaps and interstitial spaces. The number of tower components in each cluster can also vary, generating buildings of various sizes and density.

Each residential unit can be considered as prime as they will all have a triple aspect and exterior space providing a sense of being larger than they actually are. Due to the lack of existing market info, the scheme also needed to be flexible in its use and each building should be adaptable to become a mixed-used live / work configuration. The 15x15m block ensure that both residential and office configuration could be adapted.

The richness and variety of the clusters resembles a feeling of the northern Nigerian village. The loose clustering of a very simple rectangular extrusion creates a multitude of massing iterations: the variety of arrangement possibilities of repeating block means that no two buildings are the same.


source (http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=21741)

I saw the renders of Studio Serlein, but I didn't really want to post it, cos I thought it was another pipe dream.

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/21741_1_abiLakeMainImage.jpg


http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/21741_6_SSAJabiLake05.jpg


http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/21741_5_SSAJabiLake04.jpg


Developers: Duval Properties
Architects: Studio Seilern Architects (http://www.studioseilern.com/#/jabi-lake/4573741274)

^^ there a couple more pictures on the architects website but they in flash format so not sure how to get them on here. maybe someone can get them on here.


Looks like the project is back on track with a new developer.

I saw the renders of Studio Serlein, but I didn't really want to post it, cos I thought it was another pipe dream.

Well who knows. It seems at least like the mall for the project will get built. Actis is a legit mall developer. We'll see whether the rest of the project will be developed.

Ohhh...Not more renders...... :|

Well if they can build the mall at least, that'll be okay

but this is an Abuja project and we know how Abuja projects are like (They either fail to build it, or they fail to complete it)

but if they can at least build the mall, that will be a success.

Well if they can build the mall at least, that'll be okay

but this is an Abuja project and we know how Abuja projects are like (They either fail to build it, or they fail to complete it)

but if they can at least build the mall, that will be a success.

Actis is a PE firm and not a Government contractor.

PE firms invest to exit for a profit.

If they decide to build they will build to completion just like they did in IKeja mall and the Palms.

Abuja City Mall to create over 1,000 jobs, host 300,000 shoppers monthly – Director

Actis’s most recent retail development in Nigeria is the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos. Prior investments in Nigeria included the Palms retail centre, also in Lagos. Jabi Lake Mall is our latest retail project, offering 30,000 square metres of grade-A shopping space and a one-stop leisure, restaurant and retail destination just ten minutes from the city’s business centre. The anchor tenants are expected to be Shoprite and Game. Actis is also developing a 14-storey A-grade office space in Lagos called Heritage Place. This development seeks to answer the chronic undersupply of good quality office space in Lagos; Heritage Place will become the first internationally certified ‘green’ office building in the city.
What is your assessment of the investment /business climate in Nigeria and Africa as a whole?
We continue to see strong fundamentals in Nigeria with a growing consumer class and increasing urbanisation creating demand not just for quality goods and services but also for real estate. The market continues to be constrained by a lack of equity and debt financing. We see growing competition both in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa but many of the newer international players lack the requisite local experience or know-how. We feel very positive about Nigeria and are proud of what Actis has achieved in the country so far.

So, what are the motivations to invest now in Abuja?
The story of the Palms and Ikeja City Mall is the story of rising urbanisation, an expanding middle-class and an increasing appetite for formal retail opportunities offering domestic, regional and international brands. We see the same trend playing out in Abuja which has the fastest growing population in Nigeria and is underserved by formal retail; its supportive local government and high quality infrastructure make it a highly attractive investment destination. Jabi Lake Mall promises to provide much needed retail and leisure facilities to the citizens of Abuja.
How long will the construction last and the job opportunities, both in the short and long term, for locals when the Mall finally takes-off?
Construction is expected to take two years and will create over 200 jobs. In the long term, the Mall will support over 1,000 jobs and will also boost the local supply-chain.
When will the Mall open for business?
Business is expected to commence there in mid-2015.
Actis chose Jabi Lake; any reason for the choice of the location which is a high-brow area of the city where the affluent reside mostly?
The Jabi Lake Mall forms part of the city’s Phase II development. Its waterfront location is unique and will provide access to high-quality retail and leisure space in an area currently poorly served by formalised retail.
Reports indicate that households within 8 kilometres radius of the Ikeja Mall spent $18 billion on shopping in one year alone; any projection on how much you hope to rake in per annum from shoppers in Abuja?
We envisage high demand for the facilities at Jabi Lake Mall.
Any idea on the numbers of shoppers you expect to shop on a daily, weekly basis?
Our current estimates suggest Jabi Lake Mall will attract something in the region of 300,000 visitors per month.
Another firm has plan to open 100 shopping outlets in the country within the next six years; how are going to cope with such competition?
This is a market which is clearly under-served by formal retail and we welcome the entrance of high-quality developments into the market.
Issues of security are a great concern, how do you intend to tackle such challenges?
We have carried out extensive due diligence both with regard to the design of the Jabi Lake Mall and operational security. We are confident that all citizens of Abuja will recognise the importance of a safe environment for the local community and to continue to attract foreign investment.
What is the cost of constructing the Mall?
We are not able to disclose this figure.
Is Actis importing the materials for the construction or you intend to source them locally?
The majority of the materials will be locally sourced.
Any support from the Nigeria government?
We are working with both local and national government on the development of Jabi Lake Mall. The Abuja government welcomes commercial development which serves the needs of the citizens of Abuja and is supportive of Jabi Lake Mall; as mentioned this forms part of the city’s Phase II development.
Any plans to set up similar retails stores in less commercially-viable centres of the country?
We continue to monitor various locations; however Lagos and Abuja remain our dominant concerns at this time.
Aside retail business, what other investment opportunities has Actis identified in Nigeria?
Nigeria forms a key part of Actis’s Africa strategy. In addition to its real estate activities, Actis is an investor in Diamond Bank, Mouka Foam and Seven Energy and continues to pursue several interesting opportunities in the country, in real estate, but also in the consumer and financial services sectors

Source (http://peoplesdailyng.com/abuja-city-mall-to-create-over-1000-jobs-host-300000-shoppers-monthly-director/)