Nigeria is taking a major step to resolve long-standing congestion at its ports, as the Federal Government rolls out a digital solution aimed at cutting delays, lowering costs, and boosting trade efficiency.
The initiative, led by the government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saw the official launch of the first phase of the National Single Window (NSW), a centralised digital platform designed to streamline trade documentation and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, unveiled the platform, describing it as a critical reform to modernise Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and improve the ease of doing business.
For years, Nigerian businesses have faced what officials describe as a “congestion tax,” driven by prolonged delays at ports. Cargo dwell time currently averages between 18 and 21 days—far above the global benchmark of about four days.
According to Edun, a significant 73 per cent of these delays stem from transaction bottlenecks, including documentation, customs processing, and regulatory approvals, rather than physical infrastructure constraints.
The National Single Window is designed to tackle this challenge head-on by enabling electronic submission of licences, permits, and certificates, alongside digital manifest processing and centralised risk management across government agencies.
The digital reform is being implemented alongside major infrastructure upgrades at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, which together handle about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s trade volume.
These improvements are expected to ease terminal congestion, enhance cargo handling efficiency, and accelerate the movement of ships and trucks in and out of the ports.
The government aims to reduce cargo dwell time from the current 21 days to under seven days by 2026, bringing Nigeria closer to global standards.
For importers and manufacturers, the reform promises quicker access to raw materials and reduced logistics costs, including lower demurrage and inventory expenses. Exporters are also expected to benefit from improved access to international markets and enhanced competitiveness, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Edun emphasised that the reform is not only about efficiency but also about economic growth, noting that the programme will attract investment, create jobs, and improve productivity.
He also addressed concerns about the port upgrade partnership, stating that it is structured to deliver mutual benefits, with Nigeria gaining modern infrastructure while partners participate in financing and commercial opportunities.
Describing the initiative as a turning point, the minister said the reform directly targets one of the biggest constraints to trade in Nigeria, adding that the country is positioning itself as open and ready for business.
