National Single Window Could Boost Nigeria's Trade Efficiency

Dele Oye, Chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics, stated that the proposed National Single Window (NSW) in Nigeria could unlock $3 billion in logistics investment and generate $18 million in annual efficiency savings. The NSW is designed to create a centralized digital trade platform that enables importers and exporters to submit regulatory documents and permits through a single portal, integrating various government agency systems to streamline trade and reduce clearance times to 24 hours.

The launch is scheduled for March 27, 2026. However, Oye criticized the decision to domicile the NSW within the Nigerian Revenue Service, arguing that it prioritizes tax collection over trade facilitation, making Nigeria an outlier compared to countries like Singapore, which pioneered such systems.

He emphasized the need for strong private sector involvement and alignment with global best practices to position Nigeria as a hub for trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).