Blockchain: Lekki Free Trade Zone Partners Gluwa to Create Virtual Free Zone

Lekki Free Free Zone Development Company (LFZ) is collaborating with a California-based blockchain company, Gluwa to create a virtual free zone within the Lekki corridor. 

Both companies are looking for ways to explore blockchain technology for the use of trade collaboration, growth and sustainability among companies that operate within the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

LFZ head of innovation and special projects, Mr Tomiwa Idowu disclosed that the initiative will be a tripartite project between LFZ, Gluwa and the Nigeria Exporting Zone Processing Zones Authority. 

Tomiwa Idowu said that the partnership, when finalised, will create a dashboard for the tokenization of goods into non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and provide digital asset-backed loans for new and existing enterprises that are looking to fund operations and/or expand their businesses. He stated that the project will be similar to the integration of Opeansea and Compound. 

Non-fungible tokens often abbreviated as NFTs are unique digital assets which can be bought, sold or borrowed. 

Idowu further stated that he is overwhelmed with the partnership and looks forward to the possibilities and prospects it will bring to Lagos State. 

He went further to commend the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a beacon of progress and hope not only for Lagos State but the nation in general. 

“Our Governor has always been a firm believer in fast-paced development, which involves using technology to leap-frog bureaucracy and going straight to solving immediate problems”. He said.

Gluwa Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tae Oh disclosed that he anticipates the partnership with the Lekki Free Trade Zone which is the most developed free zone in Nigeria. He noted that its proximity to Dangote Refinery and the Lekki Deep Sea makes the zone ideal for partnership. 

Incorporated in 2014, Gluwa is an open-source platform powered by blockchain technology to connect global capital to emerging market investment opportunities. Gluwa launched its stable coin in 2016 and has acquired more than one million borrowers.