Nigeria’s exports have increased by more than 25 per cent in the past two years, with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) crediting government reforms and its growing partnership with major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals, for the impressive growth.
The NPA Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the ongoing Annual World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
He said the increase reflected stronger export performance across several sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture, rather than oil and gas alone, with commodities such as cocoa, cashew and other raw materials recording higher shipment volumes.
“Statistically, the exports from Nigeria in the last two years have increased by 25 per cent. These are exports that are not mainly oil and gas. We are also seeing growth in manufacturing and agriculture, particularly raw materials like cocoa and cashew,” Dantsoho said.
He attributed the improved performance partly to stronger collaboration between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals, alongside reforms introduced by the Federal Government to improve port operations and cargo handling.
To sustain the momentum, Dantsoho said the authority had established Export Processing Terminals to streamline the handling and documentation of export cargoes.
He disclosed that about four such terminals were currently operating across the country, with the NPA working alongside terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies to ensure export goods were processed locally and met the required standards before shipment.
According to him, the reforms have also strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly by expanding trade opportunities with other African economies.
He cited Nigeria’s growing engagement with Morocco, which he described as an emerging manufacturing hub for electric and other vehicles, as an example of opportunities for industrial and trade cooperation across the continent.
Dantsoho also linked Nigeria’s improved standing in global port rankings to greater operational efficiency, technology adoption and closer cooperation with industry stakeholders.
He said two Nigerian ports had secured places among the top 20 in the latest World Bank global port rankings.
The NPA chief further disclosed that revenue generated from ports nationwide had quadrupled, alongside an increase in cargo volumes.
He said the authority was using a regional performance dashboard to monitor port efficiency across West and Central Africa, with the data showing improvements in Nigeria as well as progress in countries such as Tanzania and Kenya.
Dantsoho added that the NPA planned to deepen partnerships with major industry players in countries including Morocco and South Africa to strengthen port operations and boost regional trade.
On infrastructure, he said the Federal Government was planning a $1 billion investment in the expansion and modernisation of Apapa Port as part of its medium- to long-term development strategy.
He stressed that the project would require substantial private-sector investment, adding that the NPA was engaging APM Terminals and other potential investors to mobilise the necessary funding.
The authority is also pursuing technology partnerships aimed at modernising port operations and improving service delivery.
Dantsoho disclosed that the NPA had partnered with a Singaporean company to develop a national single-window system, while discussions were ongoing with an Abu Dhabi-based firm on the development of a port community system.
He said the proposed digital platforms would improve coordination among port stakeholders, simplify cargo clearance procedures, reduce operational bottlenecks and enhance efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
