…Partners AFD, EU, European Investment Bank to drive project
…It’s about transformation of lives, livelihoods, Lagos – Sanwo-Olu
In furtherance to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, the Lagos State Government, through the Omi Eko Project, is set to procure 75 state-of-the-art electric vessels, each capable of carrying up to 440 passengers.
This is just as the project will introduce 15 structured ferry routes, spanning 140 kilometers and linking 25 upgraded and expanded ferry terminals across the city.
While Omi Eko aims to increase the share of water transport from 1% to 5% of daily mobility in Lagos, saving commuters up to two hours per day on major routes, the resulting reduction in road congestion will enhance mobility, productivity, and overall quality of life, unlocking new social and economic opportunities across the State.
These vessels, when fully deployed, will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions while drastically reducing air and water pollution as the existing water transport system will be entirely modernized, replacing the current fleet of small, noisy, and irregular boats with safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly ferries operating on a fixed and reliable timetable.
Commuters will enjoy seamless ticketing through the Cowry Card, and convenient connections between modes, including Metro, BRT, and last-mile buses.
The project which is being executed by the Lagos State Government with support from the French Development Agency, AFD, European Union, EU and European Investment Bank, EIB, is designed to restructure, upscale, and modernize the city’s waterways sector.
This transformative project will establish an organized, efficient, and affordable ferry system that enhances connectivity and improves the daily lives of residents in Lagos.
Implemented by the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, the project is supported technically and financially by a consortium of European partners led by the French Development Agency, AFD with a loan of 130 million euros, and jointly supported by the European Investment Bank, EIB with a loan of 170 million euros, and the EU with a grant of 60 million euros.
Omi Eko stands as a testament to the strong partnership between Lagos and Europe and complements AFD’s ongoing cooperation with LAMATA on sustainable land-based urban mobility.
As implementation progresses, residents will soon witness construction and rehabilitation works across the city hence laying the foundation for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient transport system as Omi Eko will not only reshape Lagos but also position the city as a model of sustainable water transport for West Africa and beyond.
Speaking during the launch of the project in Lagos on Friday, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu observed that Omi Eko was not merely about infrastructure but about transformation of lives, livelihoods and the state itself.
According to him, “It speaks to who we are as a people, bold in ambition, relentless in innovation, and united by a shared determination to build a Lagos that works for all.”
On his part, the Minister of France for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barrot posited that through Omi Eko, Nigeria, with the support of France and the EU, was leading the way in putting innovative and sustainable mobility at the service of people’s needs, at the heart of Lagos, Africa’s largest city.
For Mr. Mignot, Ambassador of the European Union in Nigeria, “Nigeria and Lagos are spearheading the execution of Global Gateway projects, showing the way as to the level of ambition which can be achieved both in terms of size and sustainability. As the Lagos Abidjan corridor remains a key area for Global Gateway intervention, we look forward to expanding sustainable connectivity in the ECOWAS region and beyond.”
Also speaking, Mr. Rodger Stuart, EIB Regional Director said, “The EIB is extremely pleased to support such an impactful project for the 23 million citizens of Lagos, by reinforcing mobility and connectivity while at the same time reducing the city’s air and water pollution. This innovative and ambitious project reflects a concrete demonstration of the EIB’s commitment to the Global Gateway strategy in West Africa.”
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