Lagos Secures €170 Million for 75 Electric Ferries as Omi Eko Targets 15 Water Routes
Updated
Updated · msmeafricaonline.com · Jun 18
Lagos Secures €170 Million for 75 Electric Ferries as Omi Eko Targets 15 Water Routes
3 articles · Updated · msmeafricaonline.com · Jun 18
Summary
€170 million from EIB Global will fund Lagos State’s Omi Eko project, expanding and modernizing water transport with cleaner ferry services and upgraded infrastructure.
The plan includes 75 electric ferries carrying up to 440 passengers each, 15 structured routes spanning about 140 kilometers, and 25 upgraded ferry terminals across the state.
Lagos says the project should ease road congestion, cut emissions and improve access to waterfront communities, while boosting trade and customer traffic for small businesses near waterways and hubs.
Water transport now accounts for less than 1% of movement in Lagos, but the state projects that share could rise to 8% by 2032 under its transport master plan.
The EIB funding sits within a broader Team Europe package of about €410 million, linking the project to the EU’s Global Gateway corridor strategy and Nigeria’s infrastructure-led growth plans.
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Omi Eko Project: Deploying 75 Electric Ferries to Modernize Lagos Water Transport and Cut 41,000 Tonnes of CO2 Annually
Overview
The Omi Eko Project is a major initiative underway to modernize Lagos’s water transport system and ease the city’s chronic road congestion. Backed by strong government commitment, the project aims to transform the state’s waterways from underused assets into vital corridors for economic growth and sustainable transport. By replacing old, noisy boats with modern, safe, and environmentally friendly ferries, Omi Eko seeks to provide Lagosians with cleaner, more reliable commuting options. This transformation is set to reshape urban mobility, reduce traffic, and unlock new opportunities for the city’s residents and economy.