The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has moved to address bottlenecks affecting non-oil exports, with measures aimed at improving cargo processing and expanding export channels.
The NPA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, disclosed this at the NPA Special Day at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The trade fair was held under the theme, “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy.”
Dantsoho said the NPA was strengthening port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics into the hinterland to improve exporters’ access to international markets.
He said Nigeria’s economic resilience could no longer depend largely on imports and oil revenues, adding that expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses into global value chains were important to economic growth.
Dantsoho said the recent Federal Government approval transferring Inland Dry Port (IDP) management and development functions to the NPA would extend port operations closer to businesses located away from the coastal ports.
He said the development would particularly affect exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, by reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before completing clearance and documentation.
“By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of the NPA, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including right here in Abuja, no longer need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before undergoing port clearance and documentation,” he said.
The NPA boss also said the authority had introduced interventions to address bottlenecks affecting non-oil exporters, including the operationalisation of dedicated Export Processing Terminals.
According to him, the terminals provide facilities where sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs documentation can be completed before export cargo is moved to port terminals.
Dantsoho said the measures were supporting non-oil exports, particularly agricultural commodities and solid minerals, while helping producers meet international delivery schedules.
He identified cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus among agricultural products that had recorded increased export activity over the past two years, alongside solid minerals.
He said improved export channels would enhance foreign buyers’ confidence in Nigerian products and increase foreign exchange inflows.
Dantsoho urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to use the export infrastructure and expand their participation in international markets.
“To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade,” he said.
He said integrating Inland Dry Ports with seaport operations would make exporting from different parts of Nigeria more accessible.
Dantsoho said the NPA would continue to provide port services and extend maritime logistics to different regions of the country.
He said the objective was to enable exporters, regardless of their size or location, to access logistics support and participate in international markets.
Also speaking, the Director General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, called for stronger collaboration between the chamber and the NPA to facilitate trade and improve links between the maritime sector and businesses.
Jideani said closer engagement between the NPA and the organised private sector was necessary to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen supply chains and increase Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade.
“The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses across our sectoral groups,” he said.
He said ACCI was interested in strengthening connections between businesses in the Federal Capital Territory and the wider national and international trade ecosystem.
Jideani said the chamber could provide a platform for businesses to share their experiences with the NPA, while the authority could use such engagements to explain port operations, trade facilitation initiatives and maritime-sector opportunities.
“We therefore commend the Nigerian Ports Authority for participating in this year’s Abuja International Trade Fair and for using the NPA Day to engage directly with the organised private sector,” he said.
Jideani said ACCI was ready to engage the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums, sensitisation programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
He said such collaboration could contribute to more efficient trade and stronger economic linkages.
The ACCI DG said the Abuja International Trade Fair provided a platform for interaction among businesses, government agencies, investors, financial institutions, diplomatic missions and development partners.
“The AITF is a practical expression of this mandate. It brings together businesses, investors, government agencies, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to showcase products and services, establish business connections, explore markets and discuss issues affecting the economy,” he said.
Jideani said stronger collaboration between the NPA and the organised private sector was essential to improving Nigeria’s trading environment.
“As we celebrate the 21st edition under the theme ‘Resilience, Trade, Taxation and the Economy,’ we recognise that stronger collaboration between institutions such as the NPA and the organised private sector is essential to improving the ease of doing business, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in domestic, regional and international trade,” he said.
He said ACCI looked forward to sustaining its engagement with the NPA on initiatives that could support businesses and facilitate trade.
