Lagos Free Zone and CEVA Logistics Announce Strategic Joint Venture
In a significant development for West Africa's logistics sector, Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) and CEVA Logistics have officially announced the signing of a Joint Venture (JV) agreement. This partnership, which has received approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of Nigeria, aims to drive growth and innovation in integrated logistics solutions across the region.
Details of the Joint Venture Agreement
The agreement, formally signed recently, establishes CEVA Logistics as the majority stakeholder in the newly formed joint venture. This collaboration leverages CEVA Logistics' extensive global network and expertise with Lagos Free Zone's strategic location and infrastructure. A key outcome of this partnership is the creation of the first global logistics leader-operated warehouse within Lagos Free Zone, which is home to Nigeria's Lekki Deep Sea Port.
This facility is designed to enable importers to seamlessly access West African markets, particularly benefiting multinational manufacturers serving the region. By integrating Lekki Port, reliable industrial infrastructure, and efficient logistics solutions, the JV positions itself as a logistics hub for West Africa.
Statements from Key Executives
Adesuwa Ladoja, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Lagos Free Zone, commented on the strategic importance of this venture. "This partnership with CEVA Logistics underscores our commitment to creating a one-stop solution for manufacturing and trade businesses in Nigeria," she said. "Collaborating with CEVA, a global leader in logistics, strengthens our ability to deliver on this vision."
Ladoja highlighted that Lekki Port, with its modern infrastructure, serves as a critical entry point for goods entering West Africa. Importers using the free zone warehouse facilities at Lekki Port will benefit from duty-free exports to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) markets, offering a streamlined and cost-effective logistics solution.
She further explained that the Lagos Free Zone Green Channel, a Nigeria Customs Service–approved logistics corridor launched in February 2026, enhances this advantage. This corridor allows cargo to move directly between Lekki Port and Lagos Free Zone in hours rather than days, significantly reducing demurrage costs and providing manufacturers with the supply chain predictability needed to compete in time-sensitive regional markets.
Jean-Baptiste Rambaud, Vice President of Air and Ocean Product at CEVA IMEA, expressed pride in the partnership. "We are proud to partner with Lagos Free Zone in this strategic venture," he stated. "Our targeted investments in Nigeria reflect our commitment to providing uninterrupted logistics services to our global clients exporting to West Africa, including ECOWAS. This free zone warehouse is the final piece in creating a seamless logistics journey for goods and products from around the world to West Africa."
Enhanced Logistics Solutions for West Africa
Rambaud noted that this partnership marks a new phase of enhanced logistics solutions, leading to a seamless journey for global trade in West Africa. This region, with its dynamic and youthful population, represents a key growth market for global manufacturers, especially in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.
The logistics journey to this region requires a deep understanding of trade lanes, local port operations, and customs procedures. By combining CEVA Logistics' global capabilities with Lagos Free Zone's integrated infrastructure, the joint venture will enable businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring a seamless journey for goods from global origins to West African destinations.
Background on Lagos Free Zone and CEVA Logistics
Lagos Free Zone, promoted by Singapore-based Tolaram, is the first privately-held deep-sea port-based free trade zone in Nigeria. Centrally located in Lagos State, the commercial hub of West Africa's largest economy, the zone covers an area of 860 hectares. It is fully equipped with world-class infrastructure, a single window clearance for ease of doing business, and is home to Lekki Deep Sea Port, which allows for access to regional and international markets.
LFZ aims to be the preferred industrial hub in West Africa with world-class infrastructure and is currently home to global brands like ADM, Tata International, Kellogg's, Colgate, Arla, Dufil, and Lekki Port as its tenants.
CEVA Logistics, a world leader in third-party logistics, provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers worldwide. Headquartered in Marseille, France, CEVA Logistics offers a broad range of end-to-end, customized solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport in 170 countries, thanks to its approximately 110,000 employees at more than 1,700 facilities. With 2025 revenue of US$18.3 billion, CEVA Logistics is part of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions.
