Inside Lekki Free Trade Zone: How a China–Nigeria Partnership Is Powering Industrial Growth

By Michael Onjewu, Abuja

On November 4, 2025, I joined seven other Nigerian journalists on a courtesy visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), a sprawling industrial hub on the eastern flank of Lagos, South-West Nigeria. The visit offered a firsthand glimpse into how this China–Nigeria collaboration is reshaping the nation’s economic landscape and redefining the future of industrialisation in West Africa.

Covering about 16,500 hectares, the Lekki Free Trade Zone stands as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious economic development projects. Established in 2006, the LFTZ was conceived as a modern, multi-sectoral zone designed to stimulate trade, attract investment, and foster industrialisation through a liberalised economic framework.

Its ownership structure reflects a strong public–private partnership: the Lagos State Government provides land and infrastructure, while China-Africa Lekki Investment Limited (CALIL) serves as the major investor. Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited represents the Lagos State Government’s investment interests.

The Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC), established in May 2006, manages the zone’s South-West Quadrant under the supervision of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).

At the company’s administrative headquarters, Managing Director Dai Shunfa welcomed our delegation. Flanked by his management team, Dai outlined the zone’s mission: to create an offshore economic growth corridor that attracts investment, promotes exports, and generates employment while minimising capital flight.

“The Lekki Free Zone is designed as a global business hub that connects Africa with the world. Our goal is to help diversify Nigeria’s economy, drive industrialisation, and create wealth for its citizens,” Dai said.

He revealed that in 2025 alone, the zone sold 110 hectares of land to 16 new flagship clients, surpassing records from the past seven years.

“We achieved an FDI inflow of $250 million in 2025 and recorded $2 billion in revenue in 2026,” Dai noted.

He also appealed for continued government support through tax incentives and simplified export documentation, especially for firms trading with ECOWAS countries.

Addressing perceptions about insecurity, Dai countered what he called “misleading narratives” about Nigeria’s investment climate.

“Every country faces security challenges. Nigeria is safe for investors, and the Lekki Free Zone offers a controlled, secure environment,” he added.

Toluwaleke Adeyele, Senior Manager in LFZDC’s Legal and Compliance Department, highlighted the zone’s extensive infrastructure as its strongest advantage.

“Investors here enjoy world-class facilities, 32 kilometres of paved roads, a 24-megawatt gas-powered independent power plant, and a 3,000-tonne daily water treatment facility,” he said.

“We are just two kilometres from the Lekki Deep Seaport and about 75 kilometres from the international airport, offering unparalleled logistics access.”

He explained that the power plant operates on dual-fuel (LNG/CNG) technology, ensuring 24-hour electricity for enterprises.

“We also have a state-of-the-art drainage network, an automated traffic light system, and an underground pipe water reticulation grid serving all plots,” he added.

The LFZDC, he noted, has also developed a 25,500-square-meter prebuilt factory complex available to investors seeking a quick setup during their incubation phase.

According to Adeyele, investors in the zone enjoy several incentives, including corporate tax exemptions, duty-free imports, and one-stop approval for business licenses.

“We offer a complete business ecosystem, from customs and immigration services to medical facilities and guest accommodations, all within the zone,” he noted.

Currently, the Lekki Free Trade Zone hosts over 62 active enterprises engaged in oil and gas, construction, telecommunications, manufacturing, logistics, and agro-processing.

Our team visited four companies: Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, Langsung Electric FZE, The Candel Company Ltd, and Henan DR Construction Company Ltd, each illustrating how the LFTZ model promotes sustainable industrial growth.

At Langsung Electric FZE, Managing Director John Anaman proudly showed us around his facility, which manufactures movable electrical substations and transformers.

“The Free Zone management has been extremely supportive. Whenever we need help, the response is swift. The environment is safe, and the power supply is reliable, something rare in other parts of Nigeria,” Anaman said.

He explained that their products, which are compact substations combining transformers, voltage systems, and protection equipment, serve clients across the oil and gas, manufacturing, and real estate sectors.

“Our transformers are made of pure copper cores and meet all international standards,” he noted.

At The Candel Company Ltd, Chairman Charles Anudu emphasised the practical benefits of operating in the zone.

“If we were outside, we would have spent heavily on basic infrastructure like roads, security, and power. Here, everything is provided. The one-stop administrative setup with customs, NEPZA, and immigration on site makes business seamless,” Anudu said.

He noted that The Candel specialises in producing herbicides, insecticides, and liquid fertilisers that enhance crop yield and quality for Nigerian farmers.

The Lekki Free Trade Zone is a bold experiment in transforming Nigeria from an import-dependent economy into a manufacturing powerhouse. Backed by strong China–Nigeria cooperation, the LFTZ is fast becoming a reference point for industrial zones across Africa.

With modern infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and a focus on sustainability, the zone exemplifies what is possible when vision meets execution.

As our visit came to an end, one thing became clear: the Lekki Free Trade Zone is not just building factories, it is building the foundation for Nigeria’s industrial future.