Although, the enabling Act came into effect in 1992, the pioneer Free Zone, the Calabar Free Trade Zone was not fully completed until 1999. Indeed, the Zone commenced operation after the official commissioning in November 2001. Since then the Free Zones Scheme has continued to move in leaps and bounds as vehicle for industrial and commercial development of the country. A new dimension has been added to the propagation of the Scheme and this involves Private Sector participation and partnership with the Federal Government and other tiers of government. This has culminated in the establishment of specialised Free Zones and other types of Zones namely:

Thanks to democracy, Nigeria is taking its rightful place as the preferred investment destination in Africa . Astute investors, both local and foreign are scouring the land of Unity in diversity and taking advantage of the opportunities it offers, particularly in the Free Zones.

When all the Free Zones are fully operational, Nigeria would have taken the lead in opening large window of export manufacturing activities in Africa .