Nigeria revives transshipment trade, targets Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire cargo routes
Nigeria's first deep-sea port has resumed operations after major upgrades.
The port aims to attract international cargo destined for neighboring West African countries.
This development aligns with goals to enhance intra-African trade under the AFCFTA initiative.
The move signals a renewed push to attract cargo destined for neighbouring countries, including Ghana, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire, which have long served as transshipment hubs for Nigerian-bound goods.
The port, which began commercial operations in 2023, is equipped with modern infrastructure, including deep berths, automated container handling systems, and a strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea.
These features position it to efficiently handle large vessels and serve both domestic and regional markets.
At a media briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, noted that the facility is now focused on capturing a greater share of regional transshipment traffic. 'We are targeting more international transshipment cargo, especially from neighbouring countries,' he said.
According to Odibe, the port has a capacity of 1.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) but is currently operating at about 20% of that. He attributed this to macroeconomic pressures across the region.
'The removal of fuel subsidies and the depreciation of the naira against major foreign currencies have led to a decline in imports,' he added
Nigeria reclaims cargo share
Despite these challenges, port activity is showing signs of growth. Between January and June 2025, Lekki Port processed 222,000 TEUs. It is aiming to reach 500,000 TEUs by the end of the year—up from 287,000 TEUs recorded in 2024.
Lekki Port's expansion comes as ports across West Africa compete to attract shipping lines and streamline cargo handling. Countries like Ghana and Togo have invested heavily in port infrastructure in recent years, while Nigeria aims to reclaim its share of regional cargo through efficiency and scale.
The development also supports broader goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), which seeks to enhance intra-African trade through improved logistics and connectivity.
As Lekki Port resumes full operations, it adds a vital link in the region's maritime trade network, positioning Nigeria to play a more prominent role in West Africa's port economy.
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