By Godwin Oritse
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said the country’s exports increased by more than 25 per cent in the last two years, attributing the growth to Federal Government reforms and improved collaboration with port operators.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this while speaking at the ongoing Annual World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
He said Nigeria’s population and economic potential gave it an advantage over other countries in West and Central Africa, adding that recent reforms had also improved cargo throughput at the nation’s ports.
Dantsoho said the export growth was not limited to oil and gas but extended to manufacturing and agricultural products, including cocoa, cashew and other raw materials.
“Statistically, the exports from Nigeria in the last two years has increased by 25 per cent. And then these are exports that are not mainly only oil and gas. In terms of oil and gas, like I mentioned, we are doing fantastically around that, but then also in the other areas of manufacturing and agriculture, you know, raw materials like cocoa, like cashew and all that. Volumes have increased,” he said.
He attributed the growth partly to the partnership between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals.
The NPA chief said the authority had put measures in place to sustain the growth, including the establishment of Export Processing Terminals to facilitate the handling and documentation of export cargoes.
He disclosed that about four such terminals were operating in Nigeria, with the NPA collaborating with terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies to ensure that export cargoes were processed locally and met required standards before shipment.
Dantsoho said the reforms had also positioned Nigeria to take greater advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly through increased trade with other African countries.
He cited Nigeria’s engagement with Morocco, which he described as a growing manufacturing hub for electric and other vehicles, as an example of opportunities for cooperation.
The NPA managing director also attributed Nigeria’s improved performance in global port rankings to increased efficiency, technology adoption and collaboration with industry stakeholders.
He said two Nigerian ports featured among the top 20 in the latest World Bank global ports ranking.
Dantsoho further disclosed that revenue generated from ports across the country had quadrupled, alongside an increase in cargo volumes.
He said the authority was monitoring port performance across West and Central Africa through a regional dashboard, adding that the data showed improvements in Nigeria’s port efficiency as well as progress in countries such as Tanzania and Kenya.
According to him, the NPA plans to sustain partnerships with major industry players in countries including Morocco and South Africa to improve port operations and regional trade.
On infrastructure development, Dantsoho said the Federal Government was planning to invest $1 billion in the expansion and modernisation of Apapa Port as part of its medium- to long-term strategy.
He said the project would require substantial private-sector participation, adding that the NPA was working with APM Terminals and other investors to mobilise the required capital.
The authority was also pursuing technology partnerships to improve port operations, he said.
Dantsoho disclosed that the NPA had partnered with a Singaporean firm to develop a single-window system, while discussions were ongoing with a company from Abu Dhabi to develop a port community system.
He said the initiatives were expected to improve coordination among port stakeholders, simplify processes and enhance efficiency.
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