The Federal Government is targeting a $1 billion investment in the expansion and modernisation of Apapa Port in Lagos as part of efforts to increase export volumes, improve port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position in international trade.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the ongoing Annual World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
Dantsoho also revealed that Nigeria’s exports had increased by 25 per cent over the past two years, attributing the growth to government reforms and improved collaboration with private terminal operators.
He said the proposed Apapa Port project formed part of the Federal Government’s medium- and long-term strategy to upgrade port infrastructure, expand cargo-handling capacity and enable the country to benefit more from regional and international trade opportunities.
According to him, the project would require substantial private sector investment, prompting the NPA to engage major terminal operators, including APM Terminals, as well as other international partners.
The NPA chief said the impact of ongoing reforms was already evident in the growth of exports, particularly non-oil commodities such as cocoa, cashew and manufactured products.
“Statistically, the exports from Nigeria in the last two years have increased by 25 per cent,” he said.
He explained that the growth was not limited to oil and gas exports, as agricultural commodities, raw materials and manufactured products had also recorded increased volumes.
Dantsoho credited the development to the partnership between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals.
To sustain the growth in non-oil exports, he said the authority had established about four Export Processing Terminals across the country.
He explained that the facilities were designed to ensure export cargoes met the required standards before leaving Nigeria, while reducing delays associated with export procedures.
The terminals operate through collaboration among the NPA, terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies.
“We have got about four of those in Nigeria where we collaborate with the terminal operators, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other agencies that have a stake. So that everything regarding the processing of the cargo for export is done locally, so that by the time it is exported out of Nigeria, there will not be issues regarding standards,” he said.
Dantsoho also said Nigeria was better positioned to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), following the economic reforms introduced by the present administration.
He identified the country’s population, expanding economic activities and growing investor interest as important factors that could support increased trade with other African economies.
According to him, Nigeria is strengthening trade relationships with countries across the continent, including Morocco, which has developed a manufacturing hub for electric and other vehicles.
The NPA managing director further attributed improvements in the performance of Nigerian ports to reforms, technology adoption and stronger partnerships with international port operators.
He disclosed that two Nigerian ports had featured among the top 20 in the latest global ports ranking by the World Bank, describing the development as an indication of improved operational efficiency.
Dantsoho said the authority intended to consolidate its partnerships with major maritime players in countries such as Morocco and South Africa to sustain the progress.
He also disclosed that revenue generated by ports across Nigeria had quadrupled, while cargo volumes had increased significantly.
The NPA chief attributed the performance to improved operational efficiency and collaboration with international partners.
Speaking in his capacity as President of the Association of Ports in West and Central Africa, he said the authority had access to a shared performance dashboard that enabled it to compare the operations of ports across the region.
He maintained that Nigerian ports were now performing more efficiently than those in other West African countries, while acknowledging improvements recorded in Tanzania and Kenya.
On technology, Dantsoho said the NPA was pursuing partnerships with international companies to digitise port operations, accelerate cargo clearance and improve coordination among stakeholders.
He disclosed that the authority had partnered with a Singaporean firm to develop a single-window system and was also working with a company from Abu Dhabi on the development of a Port Community System.
According to him, the proposed digital platforms, alongside the planned Apapa Port modernisation, would strengthen port infrastructure, improve trade facilitation and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in African and global maritime markets.
He added that the NPA was encouraging business-to-business partnerships among private sector operators to mobilise the investment and technology needed to modernise the country’s ports.
