Lekki Deep Sea Port
Nigeria's first deep-sea port, designed to become West Africa's premier maritime gateway.
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.
- 01Provide Nigeria with a deep-water port capable of receiving Post-Panamax and larger vessels
- 02Reduce congestion at Lagos's existing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports
- 03Serve as an economic anchor for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, attracting manufacturing and logistics investment
- 04Capture trans-shipment traffic currently going to ports in Togo, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire
- 05Create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Lagos State
- 06Boost Nigeria's non-oil export capacity and reduce import costs
2011 · completed
Concession Agreement Signed
The concession agreement was signed between Tolaram Group, the Lagos State Government, and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
2020 · completed
Major Construction Phase
Marine works including dredging, breakwater construction, and quay wall installation reached advanced stages.
2022 · completed
First Vessel Received
The port received its first vessel during testing, marking a key construction milestone.
2023 · completed
Official Inauguration
President Muhammadu Buhari officially commissioned the Lekki Deep Sea Port on 23 January 2023.
2024 · completed
Operations Ramp-Up
The port progressively increased container and dry bulk throughput, onboarding major shipping lines.
2025 · in progress
Phase 2 Expansion Planning
Planning commenced for Phase 2 capacity expansion including additional berths and liquid bulk terminal.
Investors/Operators
Tolaram Group / CMA CGM
Tolaram Group is the lead private investor; CMA CGM's terminal arm became a key equity and operating partner.
Construction Contractor
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)
Served as the primary EPC contractor for marine and civil works.
Regulatory Body
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
The federal agency that granted the concession and oversees port regulation.
Government Partner
Lagos State Government
Holds equity in the project and provided supporting road and zone infrastructure.
- Deep-water berth with 16.5 m draught
- Ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes
- Rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes
- Automated terminal operating system
- Breakwater and revetment coastal engineering
- Port community digital platform
What it means for the community
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.
- Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Ltd (Tolaram, CMA CGM, NPA, Lagos State)
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