The Federal Government has officially introduced Phase 1 of the National Single Window (NSW), a comprehensive digital platform aimed at transforming Nigeria’s trade facilitation processes.
The initiative seeks to significantly reduce cargo dwell time at the country’s major seaports from the current average of 18 to 21 days to under seven days by the end of 2026.
This milestone was announced in a media briefing by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
The launch of the National Single Window coincides with a recently signed agreement for the modernisation and upgrading of Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, Nigeria’s two busiest seaports, which together manage approximately 70 percent of the nation’s maritime trade volume.
These combined efforts form part of a broader reform programme designed to address both infrastructural and procedural bottlenecks, ultimately lowering trade costs and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce.
According to official statements, administrative and transactional delays—such as documentation, customs clearance, and regulatory approvals—account for about 73 percent of the current inefficiencies at the ports.
By digitising and consolidating these processes into a single platform, the government aims to eliminate redundant procedures and accelerate cargo clearance. The reforms are expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including reduced congestion, faster vessel turnaround, and stronger support for national growth and investment.
