Africa is constructing its own Manhattan in the sea. The center, dubbed Eko Atlantic City, will be developed on reclaimed ground from the Atlantic Ocean. The project’s estimated cost is $6 billion.
Eko Atlantic City is being built from the ground up off the shore of Victoria Island in Nigeria, near Lagos. And, like Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah island, sand is being utilized to build the foundation.
South Energyx Nigeria Limited, the developer, claims it would be a residential, business, and financial centre. The developer also expects that it will encourage tourism and alleviate Lagos’s overpopulation.
The city’s foundation will be built using 91 million cubic meters of sand and will be the size of Manhattan’s skyscraper district, according to developers. The site will be about 10 million square meters in size and will be surrounded by an 8.5km long rock wall.
It will not only be a new financial area, but it is also estimated to create 250,000 new employment. It will also serve as a retail destination, including high-end luxury boutiques and cafes.
Of course, the megacity will feature a yacht club and two big marinas where the ultra-rich may dock their superyachts.
While the city has state and federal government assistance, it is entirely supported by private firms and investors. Eko Atlantic was conceived in 2003, and development began in 2008. However, just a few towers had been constructed by 2020.
While it is still under construction, the newly created city is holding concerts and sporting activities. The city’s road and canal networks are being built by developers. They also intend to construct a power plant for self-sufficiency, as well as a water supply system and a sewage network.
