A new era in Nigerian logistics has begun with the opening of TY Logistics Park inside the Lekki Free Trade Zone, where a technology-forward approach aims to eliminate the country’s staggering $1.7 billion in annual logistics losses. TY Logistics Park is reimagining how goods move across the nation by fusing advanced infrastructure and digital oversight to address deeply rooted supply chain obstacles.
Chief Executive Officer Arno van der Merwe highlighted that the sector’s persistent setbacks—ranging from chronic underinvestment and inefficient transport links to congested ports, inconsistent customs procedures, and outdated storage practices—have made Nigeria’s supply chain among the priciest in the world. According to van der Merwe, the answer lies in structural transformation, not just quick fixes.
TY Logistics Park’s solution is an integrated ecosystem that unifies five core logistics functions: customs clearance, contract logistics, route optimization, free zone logistics, and real-time digital tracking. This seamless model is engineered to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and dramatically reduce business costs.
A major benefit for businesses is the flexibility to warehouse goods in the free zone without immediate duty payments—duties are only settled when products are released, easing financial pressure for manufacturers and importers. The park’s first phase, spanning 100,000 square meters, features state-of-the-art storage, robust flooring for heavy equipment, and automated inventory management, all within facilities certified for their energy efficiency and sustainability, with water and power savings of up to 30%.
Situated at a strategic junction just minutes from key ports and airports, the park offers zero corporate tax and unhindered capital repatriation, appealing to multinationals and small businesses alike. Van der Merwe emphasized that TY Logistics Park is designed for inclusivity: whether a client stores two pallets or ten thousand, they receive the same level of service.
With projected annual throughput of up to one million metric tons in its initial phase and scalability to double that volume, TY Logistics Park is set to serve industries from pharmaceuticals and automotive to consumer goods and chemicals. The hub already plays a role in supporting operations at the Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer plant. Though van der Merwe’s logistics experience spans across Africa, he described the Lekki project as a uniquely Nigerian venture, built for the long haul.
