Joyce Mmereole Okoli
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the commencement of Phase 2 of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, a major expansion initiative aimed at strengthening Lagos’ position as West Africa’s foremost maritime, trade, and logistics hub.
The governor made the announcement at the Invest Lagos Summit 3.0 held in Lagos, where he outlined the state’s ambitious infrastructure and economic development agenda, emphasizing the strategic importance of maritime assets in driving regional commerce and investment.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the rapid success of the Lekki Deep Sea Port has accelerated plans for expansion, with the second phase expected to significantly boost cargo-handling capacity, improve trade efficiency, and reinforce Lagos’ role as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, the AfCFTA presents unprecedented opportunities for Lagos to serve as the preferred entry point into a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product exceeding $3 trillion.
“With AfCFTA creating a market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion, Lagos occupies a uniquely strategic position. The Lekki Deep Sea Port, within five years, is moving to Phase 2 because it is already approaching the limits of its installed capacity. These are not just aspirations; they are projects that have been implemented, funded, and are actively transforming the investment landscape of our state,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor stressed that continued investments in critical infrastructure remain central to Lagos’ strategy of attracting global capital, improving connectivity, and enhancing the ease of doing business.
Also speaking at the summit, Wang Qiang, Managing Director of Lekki Port, praised the Lagos State Government for sustaining a stable and investor-friendly environment that has enabled the port’s rapid growth and success.
Qiang disclosed that the next phase of development will expand operational capacity, improve cargo throughput, enhance logistics efficiency along the Lekki corridor, and attract additional international shipping and logistics investments.
“The commencement of the next phase represents a significant milestone in our journey to expand capacity, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen Lekki Port’s position as a premier gateway for West African trade under the AfCFTA framework,” he said.
He added that the expansion aligns with Nigeria’s broader trade facilitation objectives and responds to increasing demand from regional and international shipping networks seeking efficient access to African markets.
Since commencing operations, the Lekki Deep Sea Port has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most strategic maritime assets, helping to modernize the country’s port infrastructure and improve its competitiveness in global trade.
Industry stakeholders believe the planned expansion will help decongest existing port facilities, stimulate industrial development, create employment opportunities, and unlock new investment prospects across the maritime and logistics value chain.
The announcement marks another milestone in Lagos State’s infrastructure-driven growth strategy, further positioning the state as a leading maritime gateway and economic powerhouse on the African continent.