Can a city fight the ocean, fix flooding, and still grow its economy? In Lagos, Nigeria, the answer is yes. The Eko Atlantic development is turning that bold idea into reality.
Led by Gilbert Chagoury and the Chagoury Group, this project is building an entirely new city on land reclaimed from the sea. Engineers have already pumped more than 75 million cubic meters of sand to recover over 6 million square meters of coastline. That’s more than just construction. It’s climate defense on a massive scale.
Why does this matter? Lagos is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, located in Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria’s population is expected to exceed 400 million by 2050.
At the same time, sea levels are rising and land is shrinking. Without action, homes, jobs, and infrastructure face a serious risk.
Gilbert Chagoury saw these problems early. His vision for the Eko Atlantic development was not just to stop disaster, but to build opportunity. A city where people can live, work, and thrive, powered by smart design, clean technology, and international partnerships.
This is more than urban planning. It’s a blueprint for how Africa can lead with innovation, resilience, and sustainability. From coast protection to clean energy, from trade zones to smart transport, this city offers answers that the whole world is watching.
Keep reading to discover how the Eko Atlantic project is shaping Africa’s future and why it’s a model for global progress.
Read more about Gilbert Chagoury’s global vision and development work.
Why Did Nigeria Need Eko Atlantic?
Lagos is one of Africa’s busiest cities. It is full of people, traffic, and energy. But it has one big problem. The land is disappearing.
Coastline Loss in Lagos
For decades, Lagos has faced aggressive erosion. In some areas, the coastline has retreated by as much as 8.2 meters per year.
This steady erosion placed Victoria Island, a key business district, at serious risk. Homes, roads, and businesses were vulnerable to flooding and collapse.
Losing land meant losing more than just sand. It meant losing homes, schools, and the ability to grow. Lagos needed a long-term solution.
The Vision: A Stronger Defense
Gilbert Chagoury saw what was coming. He had an idea. Don’t fight the ocean. Build something stronger. That’s how the Eko Atlantic development started.
In 2008, with help from local and international engineers, the Chagoury Group began work. They started by designing a massive sea wall, now known as the Great Wall of Lagos. Today, this wall stretches over 7 kilometers, and it will soon reach 8.4 kilometers, offering strong protection to the coast.
The Great Wall of Lagos: A Shield for the Future
This isn’t just a wall. It’s a shield. Built to handle extreme weather, it can withstand 1-in-1000-year ocean surges. It protects the new city and nearby Lagos neighborhoods from floods and erosion. It also helps preserve economic stability in one of Africa’s most important financial hubs.
Behind this great wall, a new city is rising, safe, modern, and future-ready.
By reclaiming land and preparing smart infrastructure, Gilbert Chagoury has not only saved part of Lagos but also created a foundation for the Eko Atlantic project to thrive as a smart urban solution.
What Kind of City Is Eko Atlantic?
Gilbert Chagoury didn’t just want to build buildings. He wanted to build a future.
The Eko Atlantic development is designed to host 300,000 residents and welcome 150,000 commuters every day. That’s like building a small country within a city. The plan is bold, but the vision is clear: create a self-sustaining city that serves people, invites business, and connects Nigeria to the world.
The city has six main districts:
- Harbour Lights – A place for yachts and tall towers that brings a coastal luxury vibe.
- Business District – Where global and local companies work, invest, and grow.
- Eko Drive – Offices and quick transport options keep movement smooth.
- Marina – Boats, water views, and luxury homes for modern lifestyles.
- Ocean Front – Homes, shops, walkways, and a peaceful oceanfront atmosphere.
- Avenues – Green streets, clean air, boat routes, and calm open spaces.
Each district has a special role. But together, they form a complete experience. People can live, work, relax, and shop without needing to leave the city. It’s walkable, connected, and made for human comfort.
And it’s more than local. This is where Nigeria meets the world. Offices, embassies, and global banks are moving in. Even the United States is building its largest consulate here. That means more than jobs. It brings trade, trust, and new opportunities.
By welcoming global institutions, the Eko Atlantic project is becoming a key location for future-focused partnerships. Where clean power, smart living, and investment growth can all come together.
Why Eko Atlantic Is a Smart City
The Eko Atlantic development isn’t just modern. It’s smart. Gilbert Chagoury wanted more than towers and roads. He wanted a city that works like a living system—efficient, clean, and ready for tomorrow.
Power, Water, and Connection
Every part of the city is designed to work without breaks. Electricity comes from a private power plant that runs 24/7. That means no blackouts, just steady, reliable power.
Water will be cleaned and supplied from within the city. This ensures safety and reduces dependence on outside sources.
Underground fiber-optic cables keep the whole city connected with fast internet. Homes, offices, and shops will stay online without delays.
Smart Transport Design
Traffic is a big problem in many African cities. But Eko Atlantic is fixing this.
It has:
- Wide, well-planned roads
- Inner canals for water transport
- Ferries to move people along the coast
- Heliports for fast travel
These options reduce traffic jams and give people choices.
A Green City for the Future
The city uses smart technology to stay eco-friendly. Buildings are designed to use less energy. Rooftops are ready for solar panels. Streets support low-emission vehicles. Cooling systems are energy-saving.
A great example is the Alpha1 office tower in Eko Atlantic. It earned an EDGE certification for green building from the thinkstep-SGS, showing that it meets high standards for energy and water efficiency. This kind of smart design proves how cities can grow while protecting the environment.
This shows how cities can grow without hurting the planet. The Eko Atlantic project is a model for African urban growth, clean, smart, and ready for the future.
Gilbert Chagoury’s Dream: Work, Live, and Play
Gilbert Chagoury said something simple: “You shouldn’t have to leave.” That’s the dream. In the Eko Atlantic development, you can work, live, and relax in the same place. Everything you need, homes, offices, parks, and shops, is in one place. That makes life easier, healthier, and more enjoyable.
This is important. When cities grow too fast, people spend hours in traffic. They live far from work. They lose time and energy. But not in Eko Atlantic. Chagoury designed it to solve this problem.
The city features:
- Wide, well-planned roads
- Clean air and low emissions
- Safe sidewalks for walking
- Ocean views and public green spaces
All of it is designed for people. You can take a walk by the sea, ride a bike to work, or enjoy dinner without ever needing a car. It’s all connected.
It’s a city with comfort, style, and heart. More importantly, it shows how future cities can support wellness, work-life balance, and strong communities. That’s the power of smart planning—and that’s Gilbert Chagoury’s dream brought to life in the Eko Atlantic development.
Investing in the Future
The Eko Atlantic development is more than a project. It’s an investment machine.
Real Estate Returns that Lead Africa
Investors are seeing strong results:
- Residential returns: 10–12% per year (Property Nigeria, 2024)
- Retail space returns: 12–15% (Real Estate Weekly, 2025)
- Airbnb daily average: $278 (AirDNA, 2025)
These returns are rare in many global markets, but they’re real in Eko Atlantic.
Why Big Banks Believe
This success is why big banks are investing. FCMB, First Bank, Access Bank, and BNP Paribas are all involved. Their trust shows how stable and profitable the development is. More than $6 billion has already been invested.
Chagoury’s Long-Term Vision
Gilbert Chagoury is not just building for today. He sees the future of Africa. He’s investing in strong infrastructure, green design, and global trade. With private funding through South Energyx (South Energyx, 2023), he’s making his vision real.
The Eko Atlantic Free Zone
This city has a special zone for trade. It’s called the Eko Atlantic Free Zone.
What the Free Zone Offers
It’s more than a name. It delivers real benefits:
- Offshore banking for international transactions
- Tax breaks for businesses
- Easier money movement across borders
- Incentives for foreign companies to enter West Africa
Supporting Global Trade from Nigeria
These benefits make it easier for investors to operate. It also makes Eko Atlantic a hub for international trade. This structure supports economic growth and global business.
Policy Meets Innovation
A good policy can spark progress. The Eko Atlantic development supports clean industry, modern trade laws, and green technologies. It creates the conditions needed to attract companies working on future-focused industries.
Jobs and Growth
Let’s talk numbers:
- 400,000 jobs will be created when completed
- $1 billion added to Nigeria’s GDP yearly
- $1 billion in state income yearly for Lagos
How the Project Lifts the Economy
These are not just big numbers. They reflect real impact. People are working. Small businesses are growing. New industries are rising.
A Model for Other African Cities
Chagoury’s model works. He creates strong, livable cities that drive long-term growth. The Eko Atlantic development shows how a project can solve local problems and power national progress.
Global Impact and Events
In September 2025, the Eko Atlantic development will host Investopia Africa, a major investment forum connecting Africa with the world. It will welcome 100+ speakers and 2,000+ attendees from over 20 countries.
Topics on the Global Stage:
- Renewable energy innovation
- Green infrastructure
- Growth in African markets
- Investment in smart cities
This is not just a conference. It is proof that Eko Atlantic is gaining global attention. By hosting global leaders, thinkers, and investors, it is becoming a center for world-changing ideas.
Eko Atlantic is more than a city. It’s a place where partnerships begin. Deals are made. Ideas are shared. The Eko Atlantic development is now on the world stage.
A Real-World Example of Renewable Growth
The Eko Atlantic development is helping shape clean growth in Africa, not just through words, but through real actions. It provides the space, tools, and rules needed for smart energy to grow.
Here’s how:
- Promoting solar-ready rooftops for future installations
- Building smart water and waste systems that reduce impact
- Attracting clean-tech investors from Europe and Asia
- Creating space for energy startups and R&D hubs
It may not be a solar farm or a wind field, but it creates the platform that makes these projects possible. That’s what infrastructure does. It enables ideas to grow.
By creating this strong base, Gilbert Chagoury is making it easier for Africa to adopt clean energy. The Eko Atlantic development is turning bold ideas into real, livable solutions.
And Chagoury is leading the way.
Final Thoughts: Gilbert Chagoury’s Lasting Legacy
Gilbert Chagoury has done something extraordinary. He didn’t just stop the ocean. He created a city bold, beautiful, and built for the future. The Eko Atlantic development stands as a powerful answer to Africa’s biggest urban challenges: land loss, population growth, and climate risk.
But it goes further. This city brings life, business, and opportunity back to Lagos. It gives people a place to live well, work smart, and grow together. It also welcomes the world, with embassies, events, and global investors all finding a home here.
Chagoury’s vision connects everything: green design, global trade, and human-centered planning. He has shown what’s possible when leadership meets action. From smart infrastructure to energy-ready spaces, the Eko Atlantic development is a blueprint for modern cities across Africa and beyond.
This is more than a construction project. It’s a legacy. One that will serve generations, spark innovation, and keep Nigeria at the heart of global progress.
Gilbert Chagoury is not just building buildings; he’s building Africa’s future.Visit our website to explore more about his vision and the future of Eko Atlantic.