CEVA forms joint venture with EFL
0Global trade depends on identifying new avenues for growth and connection.
As established markets mature, forward-thinking businesses increasingly turn toward high-potential regions to shape their future supply chains. West Africa has emerged as one of these key growth frontiers, with Nigeria firmly positioned at its center.
Nigeria is not only Africa’s most populous country but also one of the continent’s most strategic logistics gateways. It serves as a natural entry point to the wider Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and offers immense opportunity for multinational manufacturers, retailers, and industrial players. For CEVA Logistics, Nigeria represents a pivotal hub in our ambition to become one of the few genuinely pan-African logistics providers.
CEVA established its Lagos office in 2022 as part of this long-term vision. Since then, we have steadily expanded both our operational capabilities and our local partnerships to build resilient, scalable logistics solutions that connect Nigeria more effectively to regional and global markets.
Nigeria’s fast-growing, youthful population and expanding middle class continue to drive strong demand for fast-moving consumer goods, electronics, healthcare products, and industrial materials. For international companies, establishing a robust supply chain into Nigeria also creates a launchpad for serving neighboring West African markets. Additionally, as manufacturers increasingly seek alternatives to Southeast Asia, Nigeria is positioning itself as a future manufacturing hub, leveraging its strategic location and resources to become more than just a consumer market.
However, despite these advantages, Nigeria remains a complex logistics environment. Congested road networks, port bottlenecks, and intricate customs procedures can result in unpredictable transit times and operational inefficiencies. Success in this market requires more than infrastructure alone — it demands deep local knowledge, alternative transport routes, and proximity to critical trade nodes.
This understanding has shaped CEVA’s multi-layered growth strategy in Nigeria, combining local expertise, inland infrastructure, and port-centric solutions to unlock new trade corridors.
To bridge the gap between global reach and local execution, CEVA formed a joint venture with EFL, creating CEVA EFL Limited. This partnership brings together CEVA’s international logistics expertise with EFL’s strong local presence, operational know-how, and inland infrastructure.
EFL contributes a team of more than 100 local logistics professionals and operates 140,000 square meters of Inland Container Depot (ICD) space across strategic locations including Ikorodu (Apapa) and Kirikiri. These facilities are equipped with 24/7 security, CCTV, reliable power generation, fire safety systems, and full container handling capabilities, including VGM services.
One of the most pressing challenges in Lagos remains port congestion, particularly at Apapa and Tincan. To address this, CEVA EFL leverages dedicated barge operations, moving containers directly from congested ports to ICDs via inland waterways. This approach significantly reduces reliance on overburdened road networks while improving transit reliability and cargo security. To complete the supply chain, CEVA manages final delivery using our dedicated, in-house managed fleet in Nigeria, effectively offering seamless door-to-door services.
In parallel with strengthening inland operations, CEVA has also deepened its port-centric footprint through a joint venture with Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), a Tolaram venture and one of Africa’s most advanced industrial free zones.
Established in 2012, Lagos Free Zone is an 860-hectare, award-winning, port-based industrial zone in Lekki, Lagos’ rapidly developing maritime and industrial corridor. The zone has attracted more than USD 2.75 billion in committed foreign direct investment and is home to global brands such as ADM, BASF, Tata International, Kellogg’s, Colgate, Arla, and Dufil, alongside the recently commissioned Lekki Deep Sea Port.
This collaboration led to the formation of CEVA Logistics FZE, a jointly owned entity with 60% CEVA shareholding and 40% owned by Lagos Free Zone. The joint venture includes a 9,000-square-meter, multi-user warehouse located inside the free zone and adjacent to Lekki Port. Fully operated and branded by CEVA, the facility serves as a strategic West Africa hub, enabling multinational customers to import goods into Nigeria, distribute locally, and export to neighboring West African markets while benefiting from the free zone regulatory and operational framework.
Together with CEVA EFL Limited, this port-centric capability reinforces CEVA’s integrated approach — combining inland connectivity, alternative transport modes, and proximity to critical maritime gateways.
While CEVA’s local partnerships deliver execution on the ground, CEVA’s global network ensures seamless connectivity. Operating in more than 170 countries, CEVA connects Nigeria and West Africa to manufacturing hubs and consumer markets worldwide, delivering consistency, reliability, and visibility across borders.
Within this network, CEVA already holds a strong profile providing exceptional airfreight services in Nigeria. Furthermore, we have robust capabilities in project logistics and handling out-of-gauge cargo across Africa. By leveraging our global knowledge and sharing it locally, we successfully manage complex, oversized shipments for industrial and infrastructure projects.
This capability is supported by in-house customs clearance expertise and advanced digital tools. Customers benefit from real-time track and trace, intuitive customer portals, and API integrations that provide end-to-end visibility throughout the supply chain. By maintaining control over regulatory compliance and standardizing processes, CEVA reduces delays and enhances operational predictability.
CEVA’s expanding footprint in Nigeria reflects a deliberate, long-term investment in the region’s future. By combining inland depots, barge solutions, a dedicated delivery fleet, free zone infrastructure, and global connectivity, CEVA is creating resilient trade corridors that bypass traditional bottlenecks and enable sustainable growth.
Sylvain Kluba, VP Finance IMEA, CEVA Logistics, reflects this vision: “The expansion of our operations in Nigeria represents a pivotal step in CEVA’s long-term commitment to West Africa. By combining our global logistics expertise with strong local partnerships, inland connectivity, and port-centric infrastructure such as Lagos Free Zone, we are building resilient supply chains that connect Nigeria more effectively to global markets. These investments strengthen our ability to support multinational customers, enable regional trade, and contribute to sustainable economic growth across West Africa.”
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its role in global trade, CEVA stands ready to support customers with integrated, customer-centric logistics solutions — connecting Nigeria to the world, and the world more efficiently to West Africa. Furthermore, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) fostering intra-African trade, Nigeria’s strategic position as a logistics and manufacturing hub becomes even more critical for regional and global supply chains.
Global trade depends on identifying new avenues for growth and connection.
As established markets mature, forward-thinking businesses increasingly turn toward high-potential regions to shape their future supply chains. West Africa has emerged as one of these key growth frontiers, with Nigeria firmly positioned at its center.
Nigeria is not only Africa’s most populous country but also one of the continent’s most strategic logistics gateways. It serves as a natural entry point to the wider Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and offers immense opportunity for multinational manufacturers, retailers, and industrial players. For CEVA Logistics, Nigeria represents a pivotal hub in our ambition to become one of the few genuinely pan-African logistics providers.
CEVA established its Lagos office in 2022 as part of this long-term vision. Since then, we have steadily expanded both our operational capabilities and our local partnerships to build resilient, scalable logistics solutions that connect Nigeria more effectively to regional and global markets.
Nigeria’s fast-growing, youthful population and expanding middle class continue to drive strong demand for fast-moving consumer goods, electronics, healthcare products, and industrial materials. For international companies, establishing a robust supply chain into Nigeria also creates a launchpad for serving neighboring West African markets. Additionally, as manufacturers increasingly seek alternatives to Southeast Asia, Nigeria is positioning itself as a future manufacturing hub, leveraging its strategic location and resources to become more than just a consumer market.
However, despite these advantages, Nigeria remains a complex logistics environment. Congested road networks, port bottlenecks, and intricate customs procedures can result in unpredictable transit times and operational inefficiencies. Success in this market requires more than infrastructure alone — it demands deep local knowledge, alternative transport routes, and proximity to critical trade nodes.
This understanding has shaped CEVA’s multi-layered growth strategy in Nigeria, combining local expertise, inland infrastructure, and port-centric solutions to unlock new trade corridors.
To bridge the gap between global reach and local execution, CEVA formed a joint venture with EFL, creating CEVA EFL Limited. This partnership brings together CEVA’s international logistics expertise with EFL’s strong local presence, operational know-how, and inland infrastructure.
EFL contributes a team of more than 100 local logistics professionals and operates 140,000 square meters of Inland Container Depot (ICD) space across strategic locations including Ikorodu (Apapa) and Kirikiri. These facilities are equipped with 24/7 security, CCTV, reliable power generation, fire safety systems, and full container handling capabilities, including VGM services.
One of the most pressing challenges in Lagos remains port congestion, particularly at Apapa and Tincan. To address this, CEVA EFL leverages dedicated barge operations, moving containers directly from congested ports to ICDs via inland waterways. This approach significantly reduces reliance on overburdened road networks while improving transit reliability and cargo security. To complete the supply chain, CEVA manages final delivery using our dedicated, in-house managed fleet in Nigeria, effectively offering seamless door-to-door services.
In parallel with strengthening inland operations, CEVA has also deepened its port-centric footprint through a joint venture with Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), a Tolaram venture and one of Africa’s most advanced industrial free zones.
Established in 2012, Lagos Free Zone is an 860-hectare, award-winning, port-based industrial zone in Lekki, Lagos’ rapidly developing maritime and industrial corridor. The zone has attracted more than USD 2.75 billion in committed foreign direct investment and is home to global brands such as ADM, BASF, Tata International, Kellogg’s, Colgate, Arla, and Dufil, alongside the recently commissioned Lekki Deep Sea Port.
This collaboration led to the formation of CEVA Logistics FZE, a jointly owned entity with 60% CEVA shareholding and 40% owned by Lagos Free Zone. The joint venture includes a 9,000-square-meter, multi-user warehouse located inside the free zone and adjacent to Lekki Port. Fully operated and branded by CEVA, the facility serves as a strategic West Africa hub, enabling multinational customers to import goods into Nigeria, distribute locally, and export to neighboring West African markets while benefiting from the free zone regulatory and operational framework.
Together with CEVA EFL Limited, this port-centric capability reinforces CEVA’s integrated approach — combining inland connectivity, alternative transport modes, and proximity to critical maritime gateways.
While CEVA’s local partnerships deliver execution on the ground, CEVA’s global network ensures seamless connectivity. Operating in more than 170 countries, CEVA connects Nigeria and West Africa to manufacturing hubs and consumer markets worldwide, delivering consistency, reliability, and visibility across borders.
Within this network, CEVA already holds a strong profile providing exceptional airfreight services in Nigeria. Furthermore, we have robust capabilities in project logistics and handling out-of-gauge cargo across Africa. By leveraging our global knowledge and sharing it locally, we successfully manage complex, oversized shipments for industrial and infrastructure projects.
This capability is supported by in-house customs clearance expertise and advanced digital tools. Customers benefit from real-time track and trace, intuitive customer portals, and API integrations that provide end-to-end visibility throughout the supply chain. By maintaining control over regulatory compliance and standardizing processes, CEVA reduces delays and enhances operational predictability.
CEVA’s expanding footprint in Nigeria reflects a deliberate, long-term investment in the region’s future. By combining inland depots, barge solutions, a dedicated delivery fleet, free zone infrastructure, and global connectivity, CEVA is creating resilient trade corridors that bypass traditional bottlenecks and enable sustainable growth.
Sylvain Kluba, VP Finance IMEA, CEVA Logistics, reflects this vision: “The expansion of our operations in Nigeria represents a pivotal step in CEVA’s long-term commitment to West Africa. By combining our global logistics expertise with strong local partnerships, inland connectivity, and port-centric infrastructure such as Lagos Free Zone, we are building resilient supply chains that connect Nigeria more effectively to global markets. These investments strengthen our ability to support multinational customers, enable regional trade, and contribute to sustainable economic growth across West Africa.”
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its role in global trade, CEVA stands ready to support customers with integrated, customer-centric logistics solutions — connecting Nigeria to the world, and the world more efficiently to West Africa. Furthermore, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) fostering intra-African trade, Nigeria’s strategic position as a logistics and manufacturing hub becomes even more critical for regional and global supply chains.