NPA Targets Non-Oil Export Growth With Inland Dry Ports and New Processing Terminals
- NPA Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho announced steps to remove bottlenecks slowing Nigeria's non-oil exports at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair
- The Federal Government approved a transfer of Inland Dry Port management to the NPA, a move that could benefit exporters in northern and central Nigeria
- ACCI Director General Agabaidu Jideani called for deeper collaboration between the NPA and the private sector to strengthen Nigeria's trade ecosystem
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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has outlined a series of measures aimed at removing the obstacles that have long hampered non-oil exports, with a focus on boosting foreign exchange inflows and connecting businesses across Nigeria to global markets.
NPA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, made the disclosure at the NPA Special Day during the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) under the theme "Resilient Trade, Taxation, and the Economy."
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Dantsoho said Nigeria could no longer rely heavily on oil revenues and imports to sustain its economy, adding that integrating domestic businesses into global value chains through expanded non-oil exports was essential for long-term growth.
Inland dry ports to ease burden on Northern exporters
A central announcement was the Federal Government's approval for the NPA to take over the management and development of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs). Dantsoho said this move would bring port services closer to businesses operating far from the coast.
"By bringing Inland Dry Ports under the operational purview of the NPA, exporters in northern and central Nigeria, including right here in Abuja, no longer need to move raw commodities to coastal ports before undergoing port clearance and documentation," he said.
The NPA chief also said the authority had introduced dedicated Export Processing Terminals, which function as one-stop centres where exporters can complete sorting, packaging, quality certification and customs paperwork before cargo reaches port terminals.
Dantsoho noted that agricultural products, including cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts and hibiscus, as well as solid minerals, had seen increased export volumes over the past two years. He added that the improvements would build foreign buyers' confidence in Nigerian products and drive more foreign exchange into the economy.
"To our prospective businessmen and entrepreneurs, now is the time to embrace export trade," he said, urging those in agriculture, manufacturing, processing and solid minerals to take advantage of the new infrastructure.
ACCI calls for closer maritime partnership
Also speaking at the event, ACCI Director General Agabaidu Jideani called for stronger ties between the NPA and the organised private sector, saying port efficiency had direct consequences for businesses across multiple sectors.
"The efficiency, accessibility and competitiveness of Nigeria's ports have direct implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, logistics operators, retailers and numerous other businesses across our sectoral groups," Jideani said.
He described the trade fair as more than an exhibition, calling it a platform for dialogue and partnership between government agencies and the business community. Jideani said ACCI was prepared to work with the NPA through policy dialogues, business forums and capacity-building programmes to create stronger trade and economic linkages.
"We look forward to building an even stronger and more sustained partnership that will support businesses, facilitate trade, create opportunities, and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy," he said.
Source: Legit.ng
