The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is leveraging Abuja’s strategic location to boost non-oil revenue and enhance port-hinterland trade connectivity. According to Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the NPA, the capital’s central position makes it an ideal hub for connecting local producers to international markets.
At the Abuja International Trade Fair, Dantsoho emphasized the authority’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s non-oil revenue drive. The NPA has established Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) to streamline the export process, eliminating duplication and delays that previously hindered the competitiveness of Nigerian goods. These EPTs serve as one-stop shops for cargo consolidation, documentation, packaging, certification, and shipment, and are designed to integrate seamlessly with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) and Inland Dry Ports.
To facilitate digital integration, the NPA is unifying its operations into a single digital transaction gateway known as the Ports Community System (PCS). This system provides the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW), a platform that links all trade value chain stakeholders for real-time interaction. The PCS aims to eliminate opacity and undue delays associated with human interference, promoting efficiency and transparency in trade operations.
The NPA’s digital integration efforts are aligned with the Federal Government’s economic stabilization efforts and the trade fair’s theme, “Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation.” By harmonizing operational channels into the PCS, the authority seeks to connect value creators in Nigeria’s remotest hinterlands with demand clusters across the globe.
The NPA remains open to partnerships beyond the trade fair, with Dantsoho encouraging stakeholders to explore the authority’s growth offerings through its interactive website. The website provides real-time services to users worldwide, offering a platform for investors, traders, and exporters to access information and services. With its commitment to digital integration and trade facilitation, the NPA is poised to play a crucial role in boosting Nigeria’s non-oil revenue and strengthening port-hinterland trade connectivity.
