The Lagos State government is looking to partner with Japan to unlock investment opportunities across the wastewater management value chain.
The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) recently engaged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) survey team to advance a comprehensive model for wastewater infrastructure development in the metropolis, focusing on system integration, efficiency and long-term urban resilience.
The General Manager of LSWMO, Mr Adefemi Afolabi, informed his guests that Lagos, as a rapidly growing megacity with increasing pressure on its infrastructure, presents significant opportunities for investors to explore.
“Unlocking investment opportunities and improving service delivery across the State remains a top priority of the government. We have continued to create an enabling environment for private sector participation through the State Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) system.
“The Office of PPP provides a robust regulatory and institutional framework that supports investors, safeguards infrastructure assets, and ensures the protection of investments and returns on investment,” he stated.
Across the wastewater management value chain, the agency continues to explore innovative solutions, including brownfield and greenfield projects, to expand infrastructure capacity and create viable investment opportunities capable of boosting revenue generation for the State.
He expressed appreciation to JICA for its continued investment and technical support in the environmental sector, acknowledging that the support and intervention of development partners are essential to achieving long-term sustainability goals.
In his remarks, the JICA Team Lead, Mr Teketoshi Fujiyama, commended LSWMO for its systematic and policy-driven approach to wastewater management, describing it as a strong foundation for scalable infrastructure development.
He also acknowledged the detailed PPP model of the state, adding that such a framework will attract investors, ensure operational efficiency, and guarantee the long-term viability of wastewater projects in Lagos State.
While seeking deeper insights into the agency’s current operations, plans, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms, he noted that such engagements would help identify priority areas for technical support, capacity development and integrated infrastructure planning.
He disclosed that JICA is currently collaborating on water-related projects with the African Development Bank and other partners, including the EU Waterworks initiatives in select Nigerian communities.
“JICA is exploring modalities with relevant stakeholders to improve water supply and distribution networks across Lagos, while also considering the integration of wastewater management systems into broader urban water planning,” he added.
Mr. Fujiyama further emphasised the importance of embedding wastewater solutions into existing and future infrastructure projects, noting that sustainable urban development cannot be achieved without a holistic approach to water resource management.