The European Union (EU) has expressed confidence that Lagos will soon serve as a model for sustainable transport in Africa, following the launch of the €410 million Omi Eko Project aimed at transforming the city’s waterways.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the project demonstrates Lagos’s leadership in green and inclusive urban mobility.
“Omi Eko embodies the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. We believe Lagos can lead Africa’s transition to sustainable transport,” Mignot said.
Funded by the EU, European Investment Bank (EIB), and French Development Agency (AFD), the initiative will introduce electric and hybrid ferries, modern ferry terminals, and digital ticketing across more than 140 kilometres of waterways.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that the project would ease traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and connect water transport with existing road and rail systems.
“Omi Eko will redefine mobility in Lagos and promote cleaner, faster, and safer travel,” he said.
Expected to be completed in phases through 2030, the project could cut travel times by up to three hours and reduce carbon emissions by over 40,000 tonnes annually.
With this initiative, Lagos aims to become a benchmark for sustainable transport in Africa, showcasing how innovation and international partnership can address urban mobility challenges.
