Nigerian Ports Achieve 32.38m Tons Cargo in Q1 2026

The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) announced that cargo throughput reached 32.38 million metric tons in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting an 11.6% increase from 29.02 million metric tons in the same period in 2025. This growth is attributed to a rise in trade volume, stronger import and export activities, and improved port services.

The report indicated a significant increase in outward cargo traffic, which surged by 23.7% to 14.13 million metric tons, and a 67.6% rise in outward laden container traffic, from 61,332 TEU in Q1 2025 to 102,803 TEU in Q1 2026. The NPA's Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, emphasized that Nigeria's ports are evolving to compete effectively in the African market, aided by ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

These reforms include infrastructure upgrades and digitalization efforts aimed at transforming Nigeria into a maritime logistics hub in Africa.