MD/CEO, LADOL Free Zone, Dr. Amy Jadesimi.

The Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone, Dr, Amy Jadesimi has said that achieving sustainable local industrialisation remains a necessary tool for for Nigeria’s quest towards a strong supply chain.

LADOL, a fully indigenous firm, is building the world’s first Sustainable Industrial Special Economic Zone SSEZ. The company is using the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals SDGs to build a unique circular ecosystem, servicing a range of industries. 

The Managing Director, who made this observation while giving a surprising, refreshing and informative presentation, insists that the key to building a strong supply chain is sustainable local industrialisation.

Dr. Amy stated this as a guest speaker at the hybrid event of 2021 Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE Nigeria Council Annual Technical Symposium, on the theme: Maximising Supply Chain Viability in-Country: Drawbacks & The Way Forward. 

Her presentation demonstrated that the best way of achieving this in Nigeria is to support and enable thousands of new sustainable Nigerian businesses across a wide range of industry. These businesses may well currently be business that primarily support the petroleum sector but which in future could transition to primarily support other industries from agriculture to urban building and green energy.

 “The key to having strong supply chains in Nigeria is industrial development and diversification. The data shows that the most profitable businesses and those that will have increasing access to finance are sustainable business. Nigeria has an unmatched opportunity to grow and industrialise sustainably. Sustainable business models work across all industries. In fact, in just four sectors – healthcare, agriculture, energy, and urbanisation – there are USD 12 trillion of sustainable business opportunities. As one of the fastest growing countries in the world our need is greater than most and our reward will be greater than most if we latch on to these opportunities now.” she said.

She explained that oil and gas is an integral part of Nigeria’s economy not only because the country is an exporter but also because the petroleum currently drives and is an integral part of every economy across the world. But the world economies have almost universally committed to shift away from petroleum towards greener solutions. “We are living in a world where the largest country in the world, led by President Joe Biden’s administration is making green commitments, not just in terms of transitioning but also in terms of investment today, far beyond the commitments made by previous leaders. UK, Europe, and countries in Asia are doing the same”.

The MD continued: “Even if we don’t transition our economy, we will end up being forced to. But that is the wrong way to look at this global shift. Rather this shift is a chance for us to build the right way and achieve sustainable industrialisation ahead of wealthier countries, which have to backward integrate. Especially since technologies are getting cheaper”.

“In summary, we need to industrialise to protect and strengthen our supply chains today – doing so sustainably through the local private sector will yield greater profits now and, in the future, enable to get access to cheaper, longer-term funding and put us at the forefront of a world-wide transition. While this transition could take another 20 to 30 years, there is no doubt that it is needed, it has started, and it will happen.”

“In order to secure our supply chains today, in order to secure our economy and industries tomorrow, we must develop more local eco-systems, just as we have done in LADOL, which support a wide range of industries.”

On the need for local collaborations, the MD said: “We must also look at increasing collaboration to help tackle current manufacturing challenges. The Real Private sector working together can solve many of our collective challenges and create a closer and enabling working relationship with public sector. LADOL is in essence a platform, and that platform is to enable a range of companies to operate optimally locally in engineering, in manufacturing, in design and create finished goods here.” 

Recall that the LADOL Free Zone was developed out of a disused swamp and has been operational since 2006. Every year since then the infrastructure and facilities have grown and expanded. The Zone now provides a 24/7 efficient, safe and secure location from which local and international companies, in a range of sectors, can start operating immediately.

In 2017 LADOL disrupted the local oil and gas market, halving the costs of local support, and creating thousands of local jobs. LADOL is now focused on attracting and servicing a range of non-oil and gas companies, in sectors ranging from technology to agriculture. The sectors identified will work together to create a circular economy within the Zone. West Africa is one of the largest under-served markets in the world with the fastest growing population.

Industrial companies working in LADOL can service this market sustainably and profitably, while creating tens of thousands of jobs. As the local market grows there will be higher demand for locally produced products, a larger skilled workforce and cheaper domestic operating costs. 

LADOL is becoming a blueprint for the Sustainable Industrialisation of Africa, turning Africa’s demographic dividend into a global wealth creation.