Dangote Group to Build Nigeria’s Largest Industrial and Free Trade Zone at Olokola, Ondo State

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled plans for what is described as the country’s largest industrial and free trade zone in Ondo State, with construction scheduled to begin in the final quarter of 2026.

The ambitious project aims to tackle chronic infrastructure deficits by delivering dedicated power, water, gas, and logistics facilities to attract manufacturers and spur economic growth.

Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, announced the initiative during a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Akure. Accompanied by senior executives including Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited Olakunle Alake and Managing Director for Logistics and Infrastructure Capt. Jamil Abubakar, Dangote framed the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) as a comprehensive, power-driven investment hub.

“We want to create the biggest free trade zone where investors can just come and plug in,” Dangote said. “We will generate power, provide infrastructure and remove the bottlenecks around doing business.” He highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding electricity challenges which he called the biggest constraint to industrial growth for over 30 years, as a central issue the project will address through independent power generation.

The proposed zone, spanning a significant area in Ilaje Local Government Area with potential extensions toward Ogun State, will feature integrated infrastructure including water supply systems, gas pipelines linked to an east-west corridor for energy-intensive industries, and logistics facilities building on longstanding plans for a deep-sea port. It will also incorporate cement production and other manufacturing operations. The investment is expected to far exceed the group’s earlier $6 billion ambitions for the site from around 2013.

Dangote acknowledged past setbacks that had shifted the group’s focus to Lagos but praised improved conditions and collaboration under the current Ondo administration. Contractors are expected to mobilize to the site within the next three to four months, paving the way for full construction activities later in 2026. The project structure will include government participation, with Dangote requesting the nomination of a state representative to the zone’s board.

Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed the development as a “game changer” for Ondo State and the broader region, aligning it with his administration’s vision to position the state as a leading industrial hub in Southwest Nigeria. He cited the area’s strategic location along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor and its deep seaport potential as key advantages.

“This is a major milestone in our industrial transformation agenda,” the governor stated, emphasizing the availability of land and infrastructure potential. In response, the state government has established a technical committee, chaired by Chief Bode Sunmonu with Mr. Emmanuel Omomowo of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) as secretary. The committee will address legal, land, community, and operational frameworks while coordinating closely with the Dangote Group.

The project is projected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate large-scale industrial expansion, boost exports, and drive economic activity across Ondo and neighboring states. Similar Dangote investments in Lagos have previously demonstrated substantial employment and revenue benefits. Olokola’s coastal position could also ease pressure on Nigeria’s existing ports by serving as a gateway for refined products, fertilizers, petrochemicals, and other exports.