FG Rolls Out National Single Window to Cut Port Delays to Seven Days

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched Phase 1 of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital trade platform designed to significantly reduce cargo dwell time at the country’s seaports to under seven days.

The initiative forms part of a broader reform programme aimed at improving trade efficiency, lowering costs, and boosting economic growth. It also aligns with plans to upgrade key ports, including Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port, which together handle a large share of Nigeria’s maritime trade.

Cargo dwell time at Nigerian ports currently averages between 18 and 21 days, far above the global benchmark of about four days. Data shows that nearly 73 per cent of delays are tied to administrative processes such as documentation, customs clearance, and regulatory approvals.

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The National Single Window is designed as a centralised digital system that integrates all trade-related agencies on a single platform, streamlining procedures and reducing human interference. The platform is expected to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, enhance transparency, and improve turnaround time for cargo.

The initiative is part of the economic reform agenda of Bola Tinubu, which includes plans to build a $1 trillion economy through improved trade efficiency and infrastructure.

The reforms are expected to deliver broad economic benefits. Importers and manufacturers will gain faster access to raw materials, reducing demurrage and inventory costs, while exporters are likely to benefit from shorter turnaround times, improving competitiveness under regional trade frameworks.

In addition, the measures are projected to lower the cost of goods, ease inflationary pressures, and increase government revenue through improved compliance and transparency. By addressing both process inefficiencies and infrastructure gaps, the initiative aims to eliminate what has been widely described as a “congestion tax” on Nigerian businesses.