NEPZA Pushes EU Integration of Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has urged the European Union to integrate Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into European value chains to strengthen economic growth, industrialisation, and shared prosperity.

Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, made the call on Monday during a trade and investment facilitation meeting at the European House in Abuja.

He said the engagement came at a pivotal moment in global economic history, noting that Nigeria’s Free Zones, under NEPZA’s strategic framework, offer effective platforms to deepen EU–Nigeria economic cooperation amid major structural shifts.

According to him, “As the global order shifts from a predictable, rules-based system to one shaped by shifting alliances and economic pressures, the European Union should increasingly leverage Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones to expand and deepen our existing economic partnership.”

Dr. Ogunyemi commended EU leaders for pursuing a vision of European independence and economic strength anchored on diversified and resilient partnerships, rather than reliance on a narrow supply base or geopolitical arrangements.

He stressed that increased EU economic activity along Nigeria’s SEZ corridors would help reduce dependency risks, secure critical supply chains, and boost engagement across West Africa’s rapidly growing markets.

A statement by Martins Odeh, Head of Corporate Communications at NEPZA, quotes Dr. Ogunyemi as saying the EU’s recent economic realignment highlights the need for a mutually beneficial partnership built on common interests between Europe and Africa.

He noted that Special Economic Zones offer a viable pathway to accelerate shared economic gains.

He pointed out that while the EU remains Africa’s largest trade and investment partner—with trade in goods reaching nearly €355 billion in 2024 and services surpassing €100 billion—the trade structure is still dominated by Africa’s raw material exports.

Dr. Ogunyemi described this as a strategic challenge, adding that “overreliance on primary commodities without meaningful value addition hinders industrial growth, limits human capital development, and threatens the long-term sustainability of supply chains between us and the EU.”

He said that increased investment in Nigeria’s economic zones could help address these imbalances.

The meeting drew participation from European Ambassadors, Heads of Delegation of EU Member States, and representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service.