Nigeria’s exports have grown by 25 per cent in the last two years, driven by Federal Government reforms, improved port efficiency and partnerships with private terminal operators, the Nigerian Ports Authority has said.
The Managing Director of the 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).
He said the growth extended beyond oil and gas to agricultural commodities, manufactured products and raw materials, including cocoa and cashew. 
Dantsoho attributed the increase to government policies and collaboration between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals.
To sustain the growth, he said the authority had established about four Export Processing Terminals in partnership with terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies.
He explained that the facilities enable exporters to complete cargo processing and regulatory requirements locally, ensuring compliance with international standards before shipment.
The NPA chief said the reforms had also strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), citing growing trade and manufacturing cooperation with Morocco.
He further disclosed that Nigeria had two ports among the top 20 in the latest World Bank global ports ranking, attributing the performance to improved efficiency, technology adoption and private-sector collaboration.
Dantsoho also claimed that revenue generated from ports across the country had quadrupled, alongside increased cargo volumes.
He said Nigeria’s port performance had improved compared with other West African countries, citing the regional performance monitoring dashboard available to members of the Association of Ports in West and Central Africa.
On infrastructure development, he disclosed that the Federal Government was planning a $1bn investment in the expansion and modernisation of Apapa Port.
He said the NPA was working with APM Terminals and other international investors to mobilise the capital required for the project.
Dantsoho added that the authority was pursuing digitalisation through partnerships with a Singaporean firm on the National Single Window system and a company from Abu Dhabi on the development of a Port Community System.
He said the initiatives were aimed at improving cargo processing, coordination among port stakeholders and Nigeria’s competitiveness in international trade.
