Follow Us on Google
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has said Nigeria’s exports have grown by more than 25 per cent in the last two years, attributing the increase to the Federal Government’s economic reforms and improved port operations.
He disclosed this yesterday at the ongoing Annual World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
Dantsoho said Nigeria’s large population gives the country a major advantage over other countries in West and Central Africa, while recent reforms have also led to a significant increase in cargo handled at the nation’s ports.
He said the growth in exports was not limited to crude oil and gas but also covered manufactured goods and agricultural products, including cocoa and cashew nuts.
“So for us in Nigeria, the most important thing is that we are seeing growth as a result of the policies we are implementing. Statistically, exports from Nigeria have increased by 25 per cent in the last two years.
“These exports are not mainly oil and gas. While we are doing very well in that area, we are also recording growth in manufacturing and agriculture, particularly raw materials such as cocoa and cashew nuts. Export volumes have increased, and this is largely due to the partnership between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals,” he said.
The NPA boss said the authority had put measures in place to sustain the growth, including the establishment of Export Processing Terminals to make it easier for exporters to prepare their goods for international markets.
He explained that the terminals allow exporters to complete the necessary checks and documentation locally before their goods are shipped abroad, reducing the risk of rejection over quality and standards.
“We have about four of these terminals in Nigeria, where we work with terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies. This ensures that all the processes required to prepare goods for export are completed locally, so that by the time the goods leave Nigeria, there will be no issues relating to standards,” he added.
Dantsoho also said the Federal Government’s reforms had strengthened Nigeria’s position to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which provides opportunities for African countries to trade more freely among themselves.
According to him, the reforms have improved confidence in the Nigerian economy and attracted investors, giving the country a stronger position to expand trade with other African nations.
“Nigeria’s economy is very strong now because of our President’s reforms, which everyone can testify are attracting investors to the country. Because of this, we are leading other African countries to ensure that we trade among ourselves in a free and fair manner.
“For example, there is a lot of exchange of ideas between Nigeria and Morocco. Morocco has become a hub for manufacturing electric cars and other smaller vehicles,” he said.
He linked the improvements in the country’s port operations to Nigeria’s performance in the latest global ports ranking by the World Bank, which placed two Nigerian ports among the top 20.
Dantsoho said the recognition was the result of improved efficiency, technology and stronger cooperation with industry operators and international partners.
“This is the result of hard work and efficiency because we are collaborating effectively. We have seen that this approach is producing good results. It is result-oriented and technology-based. So, we will continue to strengthen our relationships with major players in Morocco and South Africa,” he said.
He also disclosed that revenue generated from ports across the country had quadrupled following the reforms and increased cooperation with industry operators.
“We have experienced a significant increase in cargo volumes and revenue generated by ports across Nigeria, and this is largely because of the collaboration between us and other countries. As a matter of fact, port operations in Nigeria are now more efficient than those in other West African countries.
“I say this because, as president of the Association of Ports in West and Central Africa, we have access to the same performance dashboard, which enables us to compare how ports in the region are doing.
“There have also been improvements in Tanzania and Kenya. It is encouraging that this collaboration is producing the desired results. We must strengthen these relationships and maintain the progress so that distractions do not slow us down,” he said.
On infrastructure development, Dantsoho said the Federal Government was planning to invest $1 billion in the expansion and modernisation of Apapa Port as part of its medium- and long-term plans for the maritime sector.
He noted that the scale of investment required made private sector participation necessary, adding that the NPA was working with major terminal operators and other investors to upgrade port facilities.
“Expansion and modernisation of infrastructure require collaboration with private sector investors. In that area, as I said, we are working with APM Terminals and other major players who have the capital. This is a project that requires huge investment. A lot of money has to be committed to make it happen,” he said.
He added that the authority was also partnering foreign technology companies to improve port operations through digital systems.
According to him, the NPA had partnered a Singaporean firm to develop a simpler window system about a year ago and was currently working with another company from Abu Dhabi to develop a Port Community System.
He said the partnerships were not limited to the NPA and private investors, as businesses were also building direct relationships with one another to improve efficiency across the maritime industry.
