The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has concluded plans to intensify efforts to remove bottlenecks affecting Nigeria’s non-oil exports as part of measures to expand export channels, improve cargo processing and increase foreign exchange inflows into the economy. This move was disclosed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, at the authority’s Special Day at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair.
According to Dr Dantsoho, the NPA is strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable exporters to access international markets more efficiently. He noted that building a resilient trade environment requires efficient infrastructure, predictable fiscal frameworks and seamless supply chains capable of connecting producers across the country to global markets.
The NPA boss emphasized that Nigeria could no longer rely heavily on imports and oil revenues for economic growth, stressing that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses into global value chains were critical to achieving sustainable growth. To achieve this, the NPA is positioning inland dry ports and dedicated export processing terminals to bring port services closer to exporters across the country.
The recent Federal Government approval transferring the management and development functions of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) to the NPA would help bring port services closer to businesses operating far from the coastal ports. This development would particularly benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing port clearance and documentation.
The NPA has also introduced targeted interventions to address bottlenecks confronting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated export processing terminals. These terminals are designed as one-stop centres where activities such as sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation can be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.
Dr Dantsoho said the measures were already supporting increased export activity, particularly in agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules. He identified cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus among agricultural products that had recorded increased export activity over the past two years, alongside solid minerals.
The NPA boss urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand their presence in international markets. He assured exporters that the NPA remained committed to providing efficient port services and extending maritime logistics to different regions of the country to create a trade-enabling environment.
Key points
- NPA to strengthen port infrastructure and extend maritime logistics into the hinterland.
- Introduction of dedicated export processing terminals to address bottlenecks confronting non-oil exporters.
- Increased export activity recorded in agricultural commodities and solid minerals.
