Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that work on Phase 2 of the Lekki Port project will commence soon, as the state intensifies efforts to cement its position as West Africa’s leading maritime and logistics hub.
Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure on Tuesday at the Invest Lagos Summit 3.0 held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, where he outlined key infrastructure projects driving the state’s economic transformation.
Highlighting Lagos’ strategic role in regional trade and economic integration, the governor said the rapid growth and strong performance of the Lekki Deep Sea Port had accelerated plans for its expansion.
According to him, the next phase of development will significantly boost cargo-handling capacity, strengthen maritime trade and further position Lagos as a critical gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which serves a market of more than 1.4 billion people.
“With the African Continental Free Trade Area creating a market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion, Lagos occupies a uniquely strategic position,” Sanwo-Olu said. “The Lekki Deep Sea Port, within five years, is moving to Phase 2 because it is already approaching the full potential of its installed capacity. These are not just aspirations; they are projects that have been implemented and are still under implementation. They have been funded, are progressing steadily and are transforming the investment landscape of our state.”
The governor added that continued investment in critical infrastructure remains central to Lagos’ strategy of attracting global capital, improving competitiveness and unlocking new economic opportunities.
Also speaking at the summit, Managing Director of Lekki Port, Wang Qiang, praised the Lagos State Government for sustaining a stable and investor-friendly environment that has enabled long-term maritime investments to flourish.
He said the planned expansion would enhance the port’s operational efficiency, increase cargo-handling capacity and improve logistics performance along the Lekki corridor, while attracting additional international shipping and logistics investments.
Qiang noted that the project aligns with Nigeria’s broader trade facilitation objectives and responds to the growing demands of regional and global shipping networks.
“We are deeply encouraged by the continued support of the Lagos State Government, whose infrastructure-led policies have created a stable and forward-looking environment for long-term maritime investment,” he said. “The commencement of the next phase of development 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.”