Lagos to launch waterway taxis, electric ferries by Q3 2025
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Government is set to roll out waterway taxi services by the third quarter of 2025 as part of efforts to expand transportation options and reduce traffic congestion. Additionally, at least 70 electric ferries will soon join the Omi Eko water transport fleet to promote sustainable and eco-friendly mobility.
Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, and his counterpart at the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Damilola Emmanuel, made the announcement during a media tour titled “Waterways Experience on MV Adamu Arisa Barge” at the Five Cowries Terminal in Falomo, Ikoyi.
Balogun highlighted the state’s commitment to modernizing the water transport sector through improved safety, enhanced connectivity, and infrastructure development.
“To provide greater convenience and safety, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the acquisition and launch of waterway taxis in collaboration with LASWA, following global best practices,” he said. “The taxi service is expected to begin between the second and third quarters of 2025.”
He added that the introduction of the waterway taxis aims to deepen the usage of inland waterways, improve access across Lagos, and ease commuting for the state’s over 25 million residents. He also called for increased private sector participation to further expand the service.
Balogun noted that the agency has begun retrofitting its existing ferries to meet modern safety standards and is constructing a state-of-the-art drydock for maintenance, aimed at reducing operational downtime and costs.
LASWA MD Damilola Emmanuel, represented by Mr. Ibrahim Famuyiwa, announced that 70 electric ferries would soon be launched to advance the state’s multimodal transport goals and reduce carbon emissions.
The “Omi Eko” project — an ambitious initiative by the Lagos State Government in partnership with international stakeholders — seeks to transform the state’s waterways into a safe, efficient, and eco-friendly transport network that supports tourism, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
