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Nigeria is preparing for a major shake-up of its import and export processes with the planned rollout of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, a digital trade platform expected to significantly reduce clearance time, lower costs and improve transparency across the country’s ports from March 2026.
The Director of the NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, said the initiative is designed to reset how trade is conducted in Nigeria, but cautioned that its full impact would not be felt overnight.
Speaking at a media parley with members of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos on Monday, Fakolade described the project as a long-term reform that lays the foundation for sustained efficiency rather than an instant fix to all port-related challenges.
“We are laying the right foundation and putting the right processes in place, and starting that journey,” he said. “I would believe that those improvements gradually will compound over time, and it will help us to get to our destination.”
He stressed that expectations must be realistic at the point of launch. “The day we launch, we’re not saying all issues in the import and export ecosystem will disappear. It doesn’t work that way. But it’s laying the right foundation, and we need to ensure that we all work together to drive adoption of the system,” Fakolade added.
According to him, the NSW will provide a single digital interface through which traders and licensed agents can interact with all relevant government agencies. Key features include data harmonisation, end-to-end transparency, electronic payments and a centralised risk management framework.
Fakolade outlined ambitious performance benchmarks, which he described as the project’s “North Star.” These include reducing cargo clearance time from the current average of 12 to 21 days to just 24 hours for compliant traders, cutting export processing time from 11 days to one day, reducing physical examination of cargo from about 90 per cent to 10 per cent, and bringing clearing costs in line with those of neighbouring West African countries.
“Our ambition is to make it a norm that within 24 hours, goods leave the port for compliant traders,” he said. “This will make Nigeria very attractive for investors, especially foreign companies looking to set up manufacturing facilities.”
To underscore the viability of the project, Fakolade pointed to international examples where Single Window systems have transformed trade facilitation. He cited countries such as Singapore, Benin, Djibouti and Kenya, noting that their adoption of similar platforms led to drastic improvements in cargo clearance timelines and vessel turnaround times.
At the operational level, the NSW will streamline documentation by allowing traders to submit information once, after which the system automatically shares the data with all relevant agencies. This, Fakolade explained, would eliminate duplication, reduce human discretion and limit opportunities for rent-seeking.
The platform will also deploy advanced risk management algorithms that assess shipments based on factors such as product category, country of origin and the compliance history of importers.
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“In Nigeria today, compliance of a lot of importers is very low,” Fakolade said. “We want to encourage compliance by making it easier for those who play by the rules.”
He announced that the rollout of the NSW would be done in three phases to reduce risks and allow for quick resolution of early challenges. Phase one, scheduled to commence on March 27, 2026, will cover pre-arrival import permits, air and sea manifests, and centralised risk management.
Phase two, expected between the second and third quarters of 2026, will bring in all outstanding import permits and fully integrate export processes. Phase three, slated for the first quarter of 2027, will focus on customs declarations.
“The main advantage of launching in phases is that it allows us to fix any teething issues quickly and minimise disruption to traders,” Fakolade explained.
To support smooth adoption, the NSW team plans to establish support centres equipped with internet access for licensed agents and freight forwarders at major ports. Apapa Port will serve as the pilot location, followed by Onne Port and Ikeja Airport.
Fakolade also appealed to the media to play an active role in building public confidence and awareness around the project.
“We really want to collaborate with the media to ensure the public and trading community have accurate information,” he said. “Help us spread the word on Single Window, and ensure objective reporting. The more educated people are, the better for the launch.”
Acknowledging that the transition to a new digital system could be challenging initially, Fakolade urged stakeholders to focus on the long-term gains.
“Any change, especially any technology project, might be inconvenient at the beginning,” he said. “But over time, these small improvements will compound and deliver real value for Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.”
The National Single Window Project, inaugurated on April 16, 2024, is being implemented in collaboration with key trade and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
With the March 27, 2026 launch date approaching, Fakolade assured stakeholders that preparations are on track to deliver a platform that is efficient, transparent and user-friendly, marking a critical step towards repositioning Nigeria as a competitive trade hub in West Africa.
