The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is stepping up measures to remove bottlenecks affecting non-oil exports as it seeks to expand export channels, improve cargo processing and increase foreign exchange inflows into the economy.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the NPA Special Day of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The trade fair was held under the theme, “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy”.
Dantsoho said the NPA was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to enable exporters, particularly those outside the coastal areas, to reach international markets more efficiently.
He said 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 building a more resilient economy.
Inland dry ports to ease export movement
The NPA boss said the recent Federal Government approval transferring Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development functions to the NPA would bring port services closer to businesses operating far from the coastal ports.
According to him, the move would particularly benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before completing port clearance and documentation.
“By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of the NPA, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including right here in Abuja, no longer need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before undergoing port clearance and documentation”, he said.
Dantsoho said the authority had also introduced targeted measures to address bottlenecks affecting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals.
He explained that the terminals provide one-stop facilities where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation could be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.
He said the measures were already supporting the growth of non-oil exports, particularly agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping Nigerian producers meet international delivery schedules.
Dantsoho listed cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus among agricultural products that had recorded increased export activity over the past two years, alongside solid minerals.
He said more efficient export channels would improve the confidence of foreign buyers in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange earnings for the country.
NPA urges businesses to embrace exports
The NPA chief executive urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the emerging export infrastructure and expand into international markets.
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade”, he said.
He said integrating Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from different parts of the country more accessible and commercially viable.
Dantsoho assured exporters that the NPA would continue to improve port services and extend maritime logistics to different regions, with the objective of creating an environment where businesses, irrespective of their size or location, could access reliable logistics support and compete more effectively in global markets.
He said a resilient Nigerian economy depended on a thriving trade ecosystem and pledged that the NPA would continue to support initiatives designed to strengthen Nigeria’s position in international trade.
ACCI seeks stronger partnership with NPA
Also speaking, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for stronger collaboration with the NPA to facilitate trade, unlock investment opportunities and strengthen the connection between Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider business community.
ACCI Director General, Agabaidu Jideani, made the call at the NPA Day held on the sidelines of the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair in Abuja.
Jideani said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector was critical to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.
He said the efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of the country’s ports had direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and other businesses.
“The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses across our sectoral groups”, he said.
According to him, ACCI was particularly interested in strengthening the connection between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem.
He said the Chamber could provide a platform for businesses to share practical experiences with the NPA, while the Authority could use such engagements to educate the business community on port operations, trade facilitation initiatives, procedures and opportunities within the maritime sector.
Jideani commended the NPA for participating in the Abuja International Trade Fair, describing its presence as an opportunity for dialogue, stakeholder engagement and partnership rather than merely an exhibition.
He said ACCI was prepared to deepen its engagement with the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation programmes, capacity-building initiatives and other areas of mutual interest.
The ACCI DG said such collaboration was particularly important as businesses continued to seek improved market access, stronger supply chains and a more conducive environment for trade and investment.
He described the Abuja International Trade Fair as a platform that brings together businesses, investors, government agencies, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to showcase products and services, establish business connections, explore markets and discuss issues affecting the economy.
Jideani said stronger collaboration between institutions such as the NPA and the organised private sector was essential to improving Nigeria’s trading environment.
“As we celebrate the 21st edition under the theme ‘Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy’, we recognise that stronger collaboration between institutions such as the NPA and the organised private sector is essential to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade”, he said.
He said ACCI looked forward to building a stronger and sustained relationship with the NPA to support businesses, facilitate trade and create new economic opportunities.