Nigeria’s Lagos Free Zone, CEVA Logistics Launch Warehouse Venture at Lekki Port Hub

By Mintesinot Nigussie

CEVA Logistics has entered a majority-owned joint venture with Lagos Free Zone to develop an integrated warehouse platform. This project aims to accelerate cargo movement across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

The agreement establishes the first global logistics operator-managed warehouse inside the Lagos Free Zone. It is strategically anchored around the Lekki Deep Sea Port to maximize efficiency and trade flow.

The plan focuses on a logistics model designed to shorten supply chains for multinational manufacturers. This will cut reliance on fragmented systems that have historically slowed down regional distribution networks.

CEVA Logistics will hold a majority stake in the venture, bringing its global freight network into the zone. This area is positioned as a key manufacturing gateway for West Africa’s massive consumer markets.

The Lagos Free Zone said the partnership integrates industrial infrastructure with modern port operations. It creates a unified logistics corridor linking vessel discharge with bonded storage and redistribution.

The model is reinforced by the Nigeria Customs Service-approved Green Channel introduced earlier this year. This allows cargo to move between the port and the zone in hours rather than several days.

“We are building a logistics hub for West Africa,” said Adesuwa Ladoja, chief executive of Lagos Free Zone. Duty-free access to ECOWAS markets gives manufacturers a more direct route to regional consumers.

For CEVA Logistics, the venture reflects a broader strategy to deepen its footprint in emerging markets. Infrastructure gaps continue to shape trade costs, making this reliable new facility a vital missing link.

The partnership comes as West Africa’s consumer demand expands alongside a very young population base. Logistics providers are under pressure to deliver faster and more predictable supply routes for global brands.

For Nigeria, the project positions the Lekki corridor as a regional anchor for future industrial growth. By linking port capacity with specialized zones, the country aims to capture more value from international trade flows.