At the Investopia Global Lagos Summit, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into Africa’s premier maritime hub through massive infrastructure upgrades and strategic partnerships.
Key Modernization Initiatives
Dr. Dantsoho highlighted several milestones aimed at boosting port productivity and investor confidence:
National Single Window (NSW): Scheduled to go live by the first quarter of 2026 to streamline trade processes.
Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Significant approvals for the modernization of existing ports and the deployment of electronic truck monitoring systems to reduce congestion.
Greenfield Projects: Development is underway for new ports in Badagry, Olokola, and Bonny, signaling a massive expansion of Nigeria’s maritime capacity.
A Hub for Private Capital
The MD emphasized that Nigerian ports are “investment-ready,” citing the Lekki Deep Seaport as a successful blueprint for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). With the recent Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the UAE, the NPA is actively courting global investors to strengthen supply chains and renewable energy integration.
“Modern, resilient ports are essential to unlocking Africa’s trade potential under the AfCFTA. We are positioning Nigeria as the primary gateway for West Africa and landlocked regional markets.” — Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho
Strengthening Regional Trade
The summit’s panel, “Infrastructure & Logistics for Africa’s Next Phase of Trade,” also featured Mohamed Almenhali of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
Discussions focused on:
Corridor Connectivity: Linking ports to inland depots more efficiently.
Digital Integration: Utilizing Port Community Systems to enhance transparency and reliability.
Strategic Location: Leveraging Nigeria’s geography to drive the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The event brought together high-profile leaders, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed H. Alsuwaidi, marking a significant step in translating bilateral diplomatic ties into tangible maritime growth.
