Nigeria Launches National Single Window to Cut Cargo Time

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the National Single Window (NSW), a digital trade platform aimed at reducing cargo dwell time at the country's major ports from an average of 21 days to 7 days by the year 2026. This initiative was announced during a media briefing by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

The launch coincides with a new agreement to upgrade the Apapa Port and Tin Island Port, Nigeria's two busiest seaports. The NSW is part of a coordinated reform program designed to address inefficiencies in the cargo processing system and lower trade costs, thereby boosting economic growth.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a committee for the NSW project in April 2024, with the goal of having the digital trade platform fully operational by the first quarter of 2026. The initiative is expected to deliver broad economic benefits across various sectors and aims to eliminate congestion, which has been a primary driver of port inefficiency.