Global terminal operator APM Terminals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Badagry Port Development Limited for the development of the proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport in Lagos State.
The agreement was signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday, September 7, 2026, during a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who led a Federal Government delegation to strengthen maritime cooperation and attract investment.
The MoU commits both parties to exclusive negotiations on the greenfield port project, which is expected to provide additional deepwater capacity, accommodate larger vessels, and create new transshipment opportunities for Nigeria and the wider West African market.
The agreement was signed by Group Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller–Maersk, Vincent Clerc, on behalf of APM Terminals, and Managing Director of Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu.
Oyetola said the partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to position Nigeria as West Africa’s premier trade and logistics hub.
“Our engagement in Denmark underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlocking the full potential of our blue economy,” the Minister said. “Partnering with global terminal operators like APM Terminals to explore strategic greenfield developments such as Badagry Port is central to that vision.”
As part of the engagement, discussions were also held on the extension of APM Terminals’ concessions at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, and the West Africa Container Terminal, WACT, Onne.
APM Terminals’ Managing Director, Africa & Europe, Igor van den Essen, said the company was keen to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and trade hub status.
“We believe further investing long-term in our concessions in Apapa and Onne helps do that, and we were pleased to have a constructive dialogue about this today,” he said.
“Additionally, developing Badagry as a greenfield project will further ease congestion in city ports and open new opportunities.”
Van den Essen added that APM Terminals was encouraged by government’s ambition to expand trade and attract investment, noting that public-private partnerships drive long-term investment and competitiveness.
Ndiomu described the proposed investment as the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s maritime development.
“Investing in maritime infrastructure and especially in Badagry as a greenfield port project together with APM Terminals is the beginning of Nigeria becoming the true maritime capital of sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
The proposed Badagry Deep-Seaport is expected to complement existing port infrastructure by enabling larger container vessels to berth in Nigeria, improving supply-chain resilience and supporting the country’s role as a regional transshipment hub for West and Central Africa.
