U.S. Pledges Investment Support for Lagos Free Zone

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic ties with Nigeria through increased foreign direct investment, with particular attention on the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), Nigeria’s first privately developed special economic zone.

This commitment was restated by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., during a visit to the Lagos Free Zone on Monday. Ambassador Mills led a delegation from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General to assess opportunities for deepening commercial engagement with Nigeria’s growing private sector.

Located in Lagos State the economic powerhouse of West Africa the Lagos Free Zone spans 860 hectares and is promoted by Singapore-based Tolaram Group. It is strategically integrated with the Lekki Deep Sea Port and features a single-window clearance system to streamline operations and attract global businesses.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mills emphasized the United States’ evolving approach to economic partnerships in Africa, noting that private-sector-led investment will take precedence over traditional aid. He previously articulated this shift during a Fireside Chat at the Lagos Business School, underscoring the U.S. government’s focus on supporting entrepreneurial and infrastructure-driven development across sub-Saharan Africa.

The visit signals a growing alignment between U.S. commercial interests and Nigeria’s ambitions to boost industrialization through zones like LFZ, which offer a globally competitive environment for manufacturing, logistics, and trade.