This initiative aligns with the government’s broader plan to decentralize and strengthen local production of essential materials, such as roofing sheets, tiles, and doors, by setting up manufacturing facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The Lekki Free Trade Zone, a sprawling 155 square-kilometre economic zone in Lagos, is ideally positioned for this venture.

It offers unmatched advantages including tax exemptions, streamlined regulatory access, and logistics infrastructure, making it a magnet for both local and foreign investors .

Experts say the strategy could revolutionize Nigeria’s housing sector by driving down construction costs, enhancing affordability, and reducing import reliance.

The hub will also provide shared infrastructure, vocational training, and economies of scale for manufacturers .

Despite enthusiasm, analysts stress that success relies on sustained political will and operational excellence.

Housing policy experts point out that without reliable energy, fiscal incentives, and robust oversight, similar initiatives have previously faltered.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Strategic Importance for Housing Policy

The Lekki Free Trade Zone hub reflects a pivotal shift in government strategy, transitioning from policy declarations to tangible industrial infrastructure.

By anchoring manufacturing capabilities within free trade zones, the government is laying the foundation for more affordable housing and sustainable economic growth.

Securing 200 hectares in Lekki Free Trade Zone sends a clear signal: Nigeria is aligning its housing imperatives with industrial reform, creating capacity, resilience, and affordability in line with emerging global development models.

The latest investment, consisting of $8 million in equity and $1 million in debt, brings the company’s total Series A funding to $17 million.

The investment comes as Saudi Arabia’s construction industry undergoes rapid expansion, driven by multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure and real estate projects under the Vision 2030 plan. 

BRKZ, founded in 2023 by Ibrahim Manna, aims to tackle inefficiencies in the sector by offering a managed marketplace that simplifies procurement, reduces delays, and provides financing solutions.

Manna, who previously held a senior role at Uber-owned Careem, was inspired to start BRKZ after encountering procurement challenges when building his family home. “After Careem’s exit to Uber, I bought a family house in May 2020 and faced the inefficiencies of the construction supply chain—lack of visibility in material selection, uncertainty around the whereabouts of goods, and price volatility,” he explained. 

Recognising a gap in the market, he set out to create a platform that would simplify the procurement process for contractors and suppliers.

Since launching, BRKZ has expanded commendably. The platform now offers over 7,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) and has grown its network to 1,100 suppliers, compared to 350 suppliers a year ago. 

Contractors using the platform can source essential materials such as cement, steel, and wood while benefiting from competitive pricing and financing options like buy-now-pay-later (BNPL).

The company has grown over the past year, with revenue quadrupling in 2024. More than 850 contractors and factories now use BRKZ, contributing to large-scale projects such as King Salman Park, Neom, and the Red Sea Project.

To meet growing demand, BRKZ has expanded its operations across over 40 cities in Saudi Arabia, increasing its request-for-quotation (RFQ) volume from $170 million in early 2024 to $350 million (SAR 1.3 billion) today. Manna revealed plans to extend the company’s reach to the Northern and Southern provinces, further strengthening its presence in the Saudi market.

Beyond procurement, BRKZ aims to offer a full-service construction space, covering financing, workforce supply, and equipment rental. The company currently generates revenue through transaction fees and financing services, but it plans to broaden its scope by working with developers and suppliers in addition to contractors.

One major area of expansion involves importing construction materials that are difficult to source locally. BRKZ intends to establish a trade corridor between China and Saudi Arabia, with plans to start importing materials from China this year, followed by India and Turkey. 

“We’re quite excited about building or enabling a corridor of trade between China and Saudi as we start importing goods we know our contractors, suppliers, and others would like to get from China. If materials are needed outside of Saudi, we’ll get them, white label these goods, and sell them to contractors, developers, and suppliers in Saudi. Our focus is to go deeper into Saudi Arabia,” Manna stated.

This change aligns with China’s growing economic ties with the Middle East and Saudi Arabia’s increasing reliance on imported materials for its massive construction projects.

The latest funding round saw participation from existing investors, including Aramco’s Waed, BECO Capital, Better Tomorrow Ventures, Class 5 Global, Fluent Ventures, Knollwood Investment Advisory, MISY Ventures, RZM Investment, and 9900 Capital. 

Dany Farha, co-founder and managing partner at BECO Capital, commended BRKZ’s impact on the industry. “The BRKZ team has executed its product and operational roadmap to drive efficiencies in this rapidly scaling sector, and we’re excited to continue supporting them in their next chapter. BRKZ’s financing product will complement their digitised procurement platform and address customer cash flow challenges,” he said.

Since its inception, BRKZ has raised $22.5 million, including pre-seed and seed rounds. The company’s valuation has risen by 46% in the past year, showing increasing market demand. 

With new capital in hand, BRKZ plans to strengthen its technology, enhance its financing solutions, and further expand its reach in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector.