On the coast of Nigeria, a few hours' drive from the centre of Lagos, a small corner of Africa resembles a mini-Singapore. The Lagos Free Zone is operated by Tolaram, a Singapore-based conglomerate. The sprawling 850-hectare site, which sits adjacent to the Chinese-operated Lekki Port, offers various tax and customs incentives for companies that set-up manufacturing facilities within the zone.
Kellogg's, Colgate-Palmolive and BASF are among those who have been attracted to the site, which has a distinctly Singaporean flavour thanks to the manicured lawns and rows of neatly planted palm trees that lie outside the factory buildings. Asian artwork even adorns the walls of the headquarters of the zone.
Tolaram is one of several Singaporean companies in the trade, logistics and manufacturing sectors to have planted deep roots in Africa. Other well-known companies with activities in Africa include agribusiness giant Olam International which originated in Nigeria, before moving its headquarters to Singapore and food processing group Wilmar International. And, as more Singapore-based companies look to diversify, the stage is set for greater investment in Africa.