Automation, export terminals, and eastern port upgrades form core of strategy to connect local businesses to global markets….
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has unveiled a sweeping reform agenda aimed at transforming the country’s export landscape, with a strong focus on boosting non-oil trade through modern infrastructure, streamlined processes, and digital innovation.
The initiative, outlined in a statement released over the weekend, signals a renewed push to position Nigeria’s ports as efficient gateways for global commerce particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises seeking access to international markets.
Speaking at the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair, the Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, said the authority is actively restructuring port operations to better integrate local producers into global supply chains.
He pointed to Enugu’s strategic importance as a commercial hub for the South-East, noting that its geographic advantage makes it a critical link for expanding export activities, especially in agro-based products.
According to Dantsoho, the NPA’s vision goes beyond incremental improvements. Instead, it is pursuing a comprehensive overhaul designed to eliminate longstanding inefficiencies that have historically made Nigerian exports less competitive.
A key pillar of this transformation is the rehabilitation and upgrade of major eastern ports, including those in Onne, Warri, and Calabar. These efforts are expected to increase cargo capacity and redirect more shipping traffic along the eastern corridor, easing pressure on congested western ports.
In parallel, the authority is supporting the development of new deep seaports to further enhance Nigeria’s maritime capabilities and accommodate larger vessels on a sustainable basis.
Central to the reform plan is the introduction of Export Process Terminals (EPTs), which are designed to simplify what has long been a complex and time-consuming export process. The terminals will function as integrated hubs where exporters can complete all necessary procedures from cargo consolidation and packaging to documentation and certification in one location.
By reducing duplication and cutting through bureaucratic delays, the EPTs aim to significantly improve turnaround times and lower the cost of exporting Nigerian goods.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the NPA is also embracing digital transformation as a critical enabler of efficiency. Dantsoho revealed that the authority is moving toward full automation of port operations through the implementation of the National Single Window system.
The system is expected to minimize human intervention, reduce opportunities for corruption, and allow seamless coordination among all stakeholders involved in trade from regulators to logistics providers at the click of a button.
To further strengthen the export ecosystem, the NPA plans to integrate the EPTs with Domestic Export Warehouses in collaboration with relevant agencies. This approach is designed to bridge the gap between producers in the hinterland and international buyers, ensuring that goods can move more efficiently from farms and factories to global markets.
Dantsoho emphasized that trade remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and reiterated the authority’s commitment to supporting exporters and investors.
He also extended an open invitation to stakeholders to take advantage of the NPA’s evolving platforms, noting that the reforms are ultimately geared toward creating a more accessible, transparent, and competitive export environment.
With these measures, the NPA is positioning itself at the center of Nigeria’s broader economic diversification efforts seeking to reduce reliance on oil by empowering businesses to tap into opportunities across global value chains.
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