By Steve Agbota
As Nigeria intensifies efforts toward a low-carbon economy, APM Terminals has presented a white paper to Vice President Kashim Shettima, outlining a practical roadmap for container transport electrification. Titled “A Pragmatic Roadmap to Unlock Transformational Benefits Well Beyond Decarbonisation,” the document highlights how Nigeria can leapfrog into cleaner, more efficient logistics infrastructure.
The presentation was made during the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit, held at the State House, Presidential Villa. The summit, themed “Unlocking Climate Finance for Sustainable Development,” brought together high-level government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to chart a path toward green investments and sustainable infrastructure.
APM Terminals’ proposal frames electrification as more than an environmental imperative—it is a development strategy. According to the white paper, electrifying Nigeria’s containerised logistics sector could unlock up to $830 million in investments by 2030, significantly cut emissions by 390 ktCO2e, and catalyse job creation while enhancing public health and power reliability.
“Nigeria stands at the threshold of a logistics transformation,” the company noted, citing examples of successful port electrification in emerging markets such as Kenya and India. With over 40 ports globally already shifting to electrified operations, the white paper positions Nigeria as ready to follow suit—provided there is robust public-private collaboration and urgent action on power and equipment reforms.
Vice President Shettima, in his remarks at the summit, stressed the need for synergy between sustainability and productivity.
“Sustainability and productivity must no longer be treated as separate pursuits,” he said, adding that the summit’s outcomes are the result of months of regional dialogues, consultations, and technical analyses.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing diesel reliance and carbon emissions through a hybrid energy approach tailored to Nigeria’s development needs.
“Onne Port, for instance, is already emerging as the template for our quest to breathe life into a robust green economy,” Shettima said. “Discussions are currently underway with private investors to commit nearly $60 million to electrify the port and transform it into Nigeria’s first green port.”
APM Terminals operates two container terminals in Nigeria—Apapa in Lagos and WACT in Onne—as well as a container depot in Kano. Speaking on the company’s vision, Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, said the electrification of container transport is pivotal to Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
“Containerised trade is a vital backbone of economic development in Nigeria, and we view the country as a key growth market. We believe that electrification plays an integral part of bringing operations into the globally most advanced level,” he said. “This white paper outlines a clear roadmap for how public-private partnerships can unlock electrified and decarbonised operations.”
Klinke added that beyond environmental benefits, electrification improves workplace safety, reduces noise and air pollution, and delivers measurable improvements to surrounding communities.
Echoing the urgency of timely action, Eveline Spelman, Partner at Systemiq, noted that the current investment climate provides a unique opportunity to embed sustainability into Nigeria’s logistics sector.
“Our findings clearly show that the time to act is now. Electrification aligns with upcoming investment cycles and can drive progress on key national priorities,” she said. “With nearly 60% of container terminal concessions approaching renewal, the moment is right to embed electrification into the next wave of logistics infrastructure investment.”
The white paper serves as both a call to action and a blueprint for collaborative progress, signalling that Nigeria’s decarbonisation journey could also unlock wider economic transformation.