In a move to advance Nigerian trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service has approved the activation of the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel, a dedicated corridor enabling the seamless, controlled movement of Free Zone cargo directly from the Lekki Deep Sea Port to the Lagos Free Zone.
As the only Free Zone in Nigeria with the Lekki Deep Sea Port as its anchor tenant, Lagos Free Zone is now uniquely positioned to offer a competitive advantage in inward logistics.
A statement from the free zone on Thursday, it was stated that with the official sanction from the NCS, LFZ has become the first and only zone in the country to operate a sanctioned green channel, reflecting globally recognised port-to-free-zone logistics and customs integration models implemented in leading trade hubs in the Middle East and Asia.
By eliminating traditional bottlenecks between the port and the zone, the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel transforms the operational landscape for tenants. The dedicated corridor enables a “port-to-factory” velocity that converts location within the zone into a strategic edge, reducing capital tied up in demurrage and truck wait times.
Enterprises operating in the zone can scale industrial output with enhanced certainty, as consignments are protected by an unbroken chain of 24/7 CCTV surveillance, telemetry, and tamper-evident digital logs designed to ensure cargo integrity. The integration secures the supply chain and strengthens investor confidence by establishing a transparent, high-compliance trade environment monitored directly by the Nigeria Customs Service.
“This approval is a testament to our commitment to trade modernization. The Lagos Free Zone Green Channel will enhance Customs visibility while significantly improving investor confidence in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones,” stated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
For manufacturers and distributors, the new arrangement delivers a predictable and accelerated logistics flow, positioning Lagos Free Zone as an efficient regional hub for Nigerian and West African operations.
“The activation of the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel is the latest testament to our customer-centricity and our commitment to continually deliver enhanced ease of doing business for our tenants,” said Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Mrs Adesuwa Ladoja.
“The Green Channel solidifies the advantages of Lekki Deep Sea Port being physically and digitally integrated into our zone. We have effectively removed the ‘last mile’ uncertainty that has historically challenged Nigerian logistics.
“Our tenants no longer need to navigate the complexities of traditional port exits; instead, they benefit from a high-velocity, Customs-integrated corridor that moves cargo with precision and speed. This is a game-changer for manufacturing and regional distribution, reinforcing Lagos Free Zone as the premier gateway for those looking to dominate the West African market,” she added.
Promoted by Singapore-based Tolaram, Lagos Free Zone is the first privately held deep-sea port-based free trade zone in Nigeria.
Located in Lagos State, the commercial centre of West Africa’s largest economy, the zone spans 860 hectares and is equipped with infrastructure, single-window clearance for ease of doing business, and integration with the 90-hectare Lekki Deep Sea Port, providing access to regional and international markets.
