Field notes: Lekki Deep Sea Port

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is Nigeria's first deep-water port, located within the Lekki Free Trade Zone approximately 65 km east of Lagos city centre. Built at a cost of around $1.5 billion, the port features a 16.5-metre draught capable of receiving the largest container vessels. Officially inaugurated in January 2023, it is operated by Lekki Freeport Terminal under a 45-year concession and is designed to handle 2.7 million TEU of containers at full build-out, dramatically reducing Nigeria's reliance on the congested Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

Nigeria's first deep-sea port, designed to become West Africa's premier maritime gateway.

What the project is trying to do

1. 1Provide Nigeria with a deep-water port capable of receiving Post-Panamax and larger vessels
2. 2Reduce congestion at Lagos's existing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports
3. 3Serve as an economic anchor for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, attracting manufacturing and logistics investment
4. 4Capture trans-shipment traffic currently going to ports in Togo, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire
5. 5Create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Lagos State
6. 6Boost Nigeria's non-oil export capacity and reduce import costs

What it means for people nearby

The port is projected to contribute over $360 billion to Nigeria's GDP over its 45-year concession period and generate up to 170,000 direct and indirect jobs. By offering deep-water access, it prevents Nigeria from losing an estimated $10 billion annually in trans-shipment revenue to neighbouring countries. The port has already begun reducing truck congestion in Lagos by diverting cargo away from the heavily burdened Apapa corridor.

Where it stands

2025: Phase 2 Expansion Planning. Planning commenced for Phase 2 capacity expansion including additional berths and liquid bulk terminal. Current status: Ongoing.