The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has encouraged traders and investors to take advantage of the NPA’s streamlined export processes and new opportunities.
This was disclosed by Dr. Dantsoho at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair, themed “Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Trade through Digital Transformation.”
He reassured stakeholders that the NPA welcomes partnerships beyond the trade fair, emphasizing its commitment to ongoing collaboration and trade facilitation.
Dantsoho revealed that, in a bid to strengthen the domestic economy and promote trade balance, the NPA established the Export Processing Terminal to simplify Nigeria’s previously cumbersome export process.
“I, therefore, want to warmly invite you to interact with our business development team at the NPA pavilion and also to visit our fully interactive online real-time website to access our growth.
“The EPTs were conceptualized to serve as a one-stop-shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification, and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the Ports in quick turnaround time thus eliminating the duplication and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace,” he said.
He stated that to enhance port-hinterland connectivity and create opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the export value chain, the Export Processing Terminals will be linked with Domestic Export Warehouses in collaboration with the NEPC and other relevant partners.
The NPA boss stressed that the EPTs were established in line with the Federal Government’s ease of doing business initiative and the theme of this year’s Kaduna Trade Fair.
He further revealed that the NPA is actively advancing the full automation of its processes through the Ports Community System, which serves as a foundation for implementing the National Single Window.
Dantsoho explained that the National Single Window is a global best practice designed to maximize value and efficiency by seamlessly connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain with the push of a button.
“I have said all of these, to show that the NPA has put measures in place to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe,” he said.
Dantsoho praised the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture for its resilience in fostering a culture of hospitality and business friendliness, which continues to attract global participants to the Kaduna International Trade Fair, strengthening economic prosperity.
He also highlighted Kaduna’s strategic position as a hub for trade, population, and transportation, serving as the gateway to Nigeria’s northern hinterland and landlocked neighboring countries, presenting vast untapped opportunities.
