New dedicated corridor cuts logistics delays, boosts investor confidence and positions Lagos Free Zone as a leading West African trade hub…
In a major step toward strengthening trade facilitation in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has approved the activation of the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel, a dedicated logistics corridor designed to enable the smooth and controlled movement of cargo from the Lekki Deep Sea Port directly into the Lagos Free Zone.
The development makes Lagos Free Zone the only Free Zone in the country with the Lekki Deep Sea Port as its anchor tenant, placing it in a unique position to deliver a strong competitive advantage in inward logistics and supply chain efficiency.
With the approval, Lagos Free Zone becomes the first and only zone in Nigeria to operate a fully sanctioned green channel, aligning its operations with globally recognised port-to-free-zone logistics and customs integration models used in major trade hubs across the Middle East and Asia.
The Green Channel removes longstanding bottlenecks between the port and the zone, significantly reshaping operations for businesses within the Lagos Free Zone. The dedicated route enables faster cargo movement from port to factory, reducing costs associated with demurrage and prolonged truck waiting times.
Companies operating in the zone are expected to benefit from enhanced operational stability, with every cargo consignment monitored through continuous 24-hour CCTV surveillance, telemetry systems and tamper-evident digital tracking designed to guarantee cargo integrity throughout the transit process.
The integration is also expected to strengthen supply chain security and boost investor confidence by creating a transparent and high-compliance trade environment under the direct supervision of the Nigeria Customs Service. For manufacturers and distributors, the result is a faster, more predictable logistics flow that reinforces Lagos Free Zone’s position as a key industrial and distribution hub for Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the approval as a reflection of the agency’s commitment to modernising trade systems. He noted that the Green Channel would improve customs visibility while enhancing investor confidence in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja, said the activation of the corridor highlights the zone’s focus on customer-centric operations and its commitment to improving ease of doing business for companies operating within the zone.
She explained that the integration of the Lekki Deep Sea Port with the Lagos Free Zone has effectively eliminated the long-standing “last mile” logistics uncertainty that previously affected cargo movement. According to her, businesses in the zone can now move goods through a customs-integrated, high-speed corridor that ensures precision, efficiency and reliability, strengthening Lagos Free Zone’s role as a major gateway for companies targeting the West African market.
Lagos Free Zone, promoted by Singapore-based Tolaram, is Nigeria’s first privately held deep sea port-based free trade zone. Located in Lagos, the commercial centre of West Africa’s largest economy, the zone spans 860 hectares and features modern infrastructure, a single-window clearance system and full integration with the 90-hectare Lekki Deep Sea Port, enabling direct access to both regional and international markets.
Further information is available at [www.lagosfreezone.com](http://www.lagosfreezone.com).
