Lagos unveils €410m ‘Omi Eko Project’ to transform water transport

Lagos Unveils €410 Million ‘Omi Eko Project’ to Transform Water Transport

In a landmark move to revolutionize urban mobility and ease the burden of road congestion, the Lagos State Government has officially launched the €410 million “Omi Eko Project,” a bold initiative aimed at transforming the city’s inland waterways into a world-class transportation network.

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Five Cowries Terminal in Ikoyi on October 17, 2025, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presiding over the event alongside dignitaries from the European Union, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The Omi Eko Project, which translates to “Water of Lagos” in Yoruba, is a multi-year infrastructure program designed to reposition Lagos as a hub of clean, efficient, and integrated water mobility. It is backed by the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative and jointly financed by the AFD, EIB, and the Lagos State Government. The EIB alone has approved a subsidized loan of €360 million to support the venture.

At the heart of the project is the deployment of 75 to 78 high-capacity electric ferries, each capable of carrying between 50 and 200 passengers. These ferries will operate across 15 newly developed routes, supported by the construction of 25 modern ferry terminals equipped with electric charging stations, smart ticketing systems, passenger information centers, and maintenance depots.

The initiative also includes dredging and channelization of approximately 140 kilometers of waterways to ensure safe and reliable navigation.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the launch as a “historic moment” and emphasized that the project marks a new chapter in the city’s transportation evolution. He stated that the Omi Eko Project will “change the way people move, work, and live,” offering a cleaner, faster, and more inclusive alternative to road travel.

The initiative is expected to move up to 25 million passengers annually, significantly reducing travel time and alleviating pressure on Lagos’ overstretched road infrastructure.

Environmental sustainability is a key pillar of the Omi Eko Project. The electric ferries are projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 41,000 tons per year, aligning with Lagos’ broader climate resilience goals.

The project also promises to create thousands of jobs, stimulate economic activity in coastal communities, and encourage residents to embrace water transport as a viable and eco-friendly option.

The Omi Eko Project is part of the Lagos State Transport Master Plan, which envisions a fully integrated network across road, rail, and waterways by 2030. 

With 15 out of Lagos’ 20 local government areas accessible by water, the initiative seeks to unlock the potential of the city’s aquatic corridors and reconnect its residents with the natural geography that surrounds them.