Nigeria has secured a $652 million loan from China's Exim Bank to fund the construction of a major road linking key economic hubs in Lagos to several southern states.

Public Works Minister David Umahi says the road will serve as a critical evacuation corridor for goods from the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa's largest and its adjoining fertiliser plant.

The Federal Executive Council approved the funding, chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to The Economist and the managing director time Timeline Consulting Limited, Nigeria, Idris Shuaibu...