Nano-sized Sn particles were coated with Ni-P layer using an electroless deposition method and their anodic performance was tested for lithium secondary batteries. Uniform coating layers were obtained, of which the thickness was controlled by varying the $Ni^{2+}$ concentration in the plating bath. It was found that the Ni-P layer plays two important roles in improving the anodic performance of Sn powder electrode. First, it prevents the inter-particle aggregation between Sn particles during the charge/discharge process. Second, it provides an electrical conduction pathway to the Sn particles, which allows an electrode fabrication without an addition of conductive carbon. A pseudo-optimized sample showed a good cyclability and high capacity ($>400mAh;g^{-1}$) even without conductive carbon loading.