AfCFTA: Nigeria revamps ports to capture regional cargo flows – Dantsoho
Editor
Nigeria’s push to unlock the potential of its marine and blue economy is gathering momentum through policy reforms and infrastructure upgrades under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The strategy aims to overhaul the nation’s port system and reposition the country as a dominant trade hub in West Africa to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this while addressing industry stakeholders in Lagos. He said Nigeria’s ports must evolve beyond traditional limitations to compete in a rapidly integrating African market.
“The time has come for a paradigm shift in the structure of Nigeria’s economy towards the full utilisation of our marine resources. Our port system, if properly harnessed, can serve as a major driver of economic growth,” Dantsoho said.
He warned that under AfCFTA, efficiency rather than geography would determine which countries dominate cargo flows.
“Nigeria’s geographical advantage alone is no longer sufficient. Efficiency, speed, innovation and reliability will define leadership in this new era,” he added.
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, headed by Adegboyega Oyetola, was created to coordinate maritime functions and unlock an estimated $3 trillion blue economy potential.
The House of Representatives recently approved a $1 billion loan request by President Tinubu for the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.
The President noted that the project is aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies accumulated over decades while improving global competitiveness.
Beyond Lagos, the government is extending upgrades to Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar ports. Procurement processes for these facilities are reportedly underway.
Minister Oyetola stated: “We are committed to a balanced and inclusive development of port infrastructure across the country.”
New deep seaports are also being developed in Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo states to decongest existing facilities. The Lekki Deep Seaport is already handling larger vessels and increasing cargo throughput.
The NPA is pushing a digitalisation agenda, including the deployment of a Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window platform to streamline documentation.
These systems are expected to reduce cargo dwell time and curb corruption by creating a “paperless” environment.
On security, Nigeria has recorded over four years without piracy incidents, a development officials attribute to the Deep Blue Programme and enhanced surveillance.
According to Oyetola, agencies under the ministry increased their combined revenue from N700.79 billion in 2023 to approximately N1.83 trillion in 2025.
The surge is attributed to improved efficiency and regulatory reforms. Despite this, Dantsoho noted an imbalance in regional trade.
“It is worrisome that Nigeria, despite controlling over 60 per cent of West Africa’s GDP, handles only about 25 per cent of the region’s cargo traffic,” the NPA boss said.
He expressed confidence that sustained reforms would eventually transform Nigeria into a leading maritime logistics hub in Africa.
