NPA Launches Export Terminals to Boost Trade

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has launched a series of dedicated Export Process Terminals (EPTs) aimed at enhancing the ease and speed of exporting goods from Nigeria.

Speaking during the agency’s special presentation at the Enugu International Trade Fair, Mr. Asuquo Okon, Principal Manager of Tariff and Billing at NPA, explained that these terminals are designed to provide a centralized solution for exporters. Services such as cargo packaging, documentation, certification, and final dispatch will now be available in a single location, integrated with a digital call-up system to streamline port access.

Okon stressed that this initiative is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate outdated and overlapping procedures that previously discouraged global buyers from sourcing Nigerian products. He highlighted the agency’s drive to remove barriers that affect competitiveness in international trade.

“We are actively working to simplify export logistics, ensuring Nigerian goods can move through our ports without unnecessary delays or manual interference,” he said.

He further revealed that the terminals will be integrated with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs), a move made possible through collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and other relevant institutions. This will provide more accessible trade channels for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to scale into export markets.

In line with the federal government’s agenda to improve the business environment, the NPA is also advancing plans to fully automate port operations. Okon noted that the agency is adopting a Ports Community System to eliminate human interface, reduce corruption, and drive operational transparency.

“Our focus is on building a port system that works efficiently and honestly, where businesses can thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s trade balance,” he said.

The leadership of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), represented by Mr. Eric Chime on behalf of President Mr. Odeiga Jideonwo, commended the NPA’s export reform efforts. However, he called for urgent solutions to the ongoing challenges importers face, particularly in cargo clearance processes, which continue to slow trade activities in the region.