NPA plans export reforms to boost foreign exchange

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has finalized plans to enhance efforts aimed at eliminating obstacles hindering Nigeria’s non-oil exports, with a renewed focus on broadening export channels, improving cargo processing, and boosting foreign exchange inflows into the economy. Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, disclosed this during his address at the NPA’s Special Day during the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event, themed “Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy,” took place on Sunday. Dantsoho emphasized that upgrading port infrastructure and extending maritime logistics to the hinterland would enable exporters to access global markets more effectively. He highlighted that trade resilience necessitates robust infrastructure, stable fiscal policies, and seamless supply chains.

Dr Dantsoho noted that Nigeria’s economic stability could no longer be solely reliant on oil revenues and imports; instead, expanding non-oil exports and integrating businesses nationwide into global value chains were crucial for sustainable economic development. He mentioned that the recent Federal Government’s approval for transferring Inland Dry Port management and development functions to the NPA would bolster port efficiency for businesses situated far from coastal ports.

By bringing the Inland Dry Ports under the NPA’s operational purview, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including Abuja, would no longer need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports for clearance and documentation. Dantsoho also highlighted the introduction of targeted measures to address bottlenecks affecting non-oil exporters, such as the operationalization of dedicated export processing terminals.

These terminals function as comprehensive centers where sorting, packaging, quality certification, and customs documentation can be completed before the export cargo is transferred to port terminals. Dantsoho pointed out that agricultural commodities like cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, and hibiscus, as well as solid minerals, have seen increased export activity over the past two years due to these streamlined export channels.

He urged businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, processing, and solid minerals to capitalize on the emerging export infrastructure and expand their presence in international markets. Dantsoho encouraged prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs to embrace export trade, stressing that integrating internally displaced persons (IDPs) with seaport operations would make exporting from various parts of Nigeria more accessible and commercially viable.

He assured exporters that the NPA remains committed to delivering efficient port services and extending maritime logistics to different regions of the country, aiming to create a trade-friendly environment where exporters of all sizes and locations can access reliable logistics support and compete effectively in global markets.