Lekki Free Zone near Lagos looks to offset some of the difficulties of investing in Nigeria by offering a safe, self-contained environment with varying tax and bureaucracy benefits. Chinese interest has been particularly strong so far, but the zone’s authorities are keen to attract investors from all over the world. 

One of the most important investors in the Lekki Free Zone is urban land developer Rendeavour, whose policy is to only invest in areas set for future growth. Edward Russell-Walling looks at its reasons for choosing Lekki.

Nigerian agrochemical business Candel is intending to use the Lekki Free Zone as a way to move beyond West Africa and become a player on the world stage.

Nigeria's oil and gas industry has long been rich in resources but poor on logistics, organisation and infrastructure. However, the new Dangote Industries refinery located in the south-west quarter of Lekki Free Zone, due for completion in 2017, looks set to transform the country's energy landscape. 

For so long cut off from much of the rest of the world, Iran is now back on limits for Western investors. Dr Mohammad Khazaee, vice-minister and president of the organisation for investment, economic and technical assistance of Iran, details what the country has to offer.