Economic Reforms boost export growth in Nigeria – NPA MD

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has credited the export growth in the country to the Federal Government’s economic reforms and improved collaboration with port terminal operators.

Dantsoho said the increase, which is more than 25%, was not limited to oil and gas exports but shipments of manufactured goods and agricultural commodities, including cocoa and cashew, had also recorded significant growth.

Dantsoho gave this explanation while speaking at the ongoing Annual World Ports Conference in London, organised by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).

According to him, “Nigeria’s large population gives the country a competitive advantage over other countries in West and Central Africa, while recent reforms have contributed to increased cargo throughput and improved port efficiency.

“For us in Nigeria, the most important thing is that we are seeing growth as a result of the policies we are implementing. Statistically, exports from Nigeria in the last two years have increased by 25 per cent.

“These exports are not mainly oil and gas. We are also recording growth in manufacturing and agriculture, with raw materials like cocoa and cashew experiencing increased volumes. This is to the credit of the partnership between the NPA and major terminal operators, particularly APM Terminals.”

The NPA boss said the authority had put measures in place to sustain the export growth, citing the establishment of Export Processing Terminals across the country.

He explained that the authority currently has about four such terminals, established in collaboration with terminal operators, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant government agencies.

He said the initiative ensures that export cargo processing is completed locally before shipment, thereby reducing challenges relating to standards and compliance in international markets.