Datsoho: FG Policies Boosted Export Growth by 25% in Two Years

Dr Abubarkar Dantsoho, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has revealed that Nigeria's exports have surged by more than 25% in just two years, all due to the policies implemented by the federal government. Speaking at the annual World Ports Conference in London, Dantsoho highlighted that Nigeria's large population is a significant advantage for the country in the region of West and Central Africa. The recent reforms, he explained, have led to a substantial increase in cargo throughputs.

Dantsoho noted that Nigeria's exports have not only grown due to the oil and gas sector, but also in manufacturing and agriculture, with raw materials such as cocoa and cashew witnessing increased volumes. These improvements are credited to the collaboration between the NPA and major terminal operators like APM Terminals.

The NPA has established four Export Processing Terminals across the country, which work in tandem with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies to ensure smooth processing of cargo for export, thereby eliminating any standards-related issues. With these efforts, Nigeria is now better positioned to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA) and attract investors, as highlighted by Dantsoho.

Additionally, the reforms have contributed to Nigeria's ports ranking among the top 20 globally, according to the World Bank. Dantsoho attributed the success to the hard work and efficiency of the NPA, which is now outperforming other West African ports. As a result, port revenue across Nigeria has quadrupled, and the country's port efficiency has surpassed that of other West African nations.