In a bid to enhance the ease of doing business and promote Nigeria’s export potential, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has unveiled a new initiative Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) designed to simplify and accelerate the export process for locally produced goods.
The announcement was made by Asuquo Okon, Principal Manager of Tariff and Billing at NPA, during the agency’s special day at the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair on Thursday.
According to Okon, the EPTs are structured to serve as centralized hubs where exporters can handle cargo consolidation, stuffing, packaging, certification, and documentation all in one place before goods are shipped via a streamlined electronic call-up system.
“The goal is to remove unnecessary hurdles and overlapping procedures that have long held back the competitiveness of Nigerian exports,” Okon stated.
He added that the new terminals are part of a broader strategy to make the export chain faster, more transparent, and accessible to businesses of all sizes, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Connecting Local Exporters to Global Markets
To deepen the reach and impact of the EPTs, NPA is working in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and other key stakeholders to connect the new terminals with Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs). This integration will help move cargo from the hinterlands to the ports with greater efficiency.
“Our aim is to create a seamless logistics corridor from local warehouses to the ports. That way, more SMEs can plug into the export value chain,” Okon explained.
Embracing Automation to Fight Inefficiency
As part of ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, Okon highlighted NPA’s push toward full automation of port operations. He noted that minimizing manual processes is crucial to eliminating corruption and speeding up turnaround times.
“We are deploying the Ports Community System to drive automation across all touchpoints. This will drastically reduce human interference and promote transparency,” he said.
Okon encouraged stakeholders and businesses attending the fair to explore the new platform, assuring them that NPA remains open to collaboration even beyond the event.
ECCIMA Urges More Action on Import Delays
While commending NPA for its commitment to enhancing exports, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Odeiga Jideonwo (represented by Mr. Eric Chime), urged the agency to also address the persistent delays in cargo clearance for importers in the region.
He called for more decisive steps to resolve challenges in the maritime sector, emphasizing that trade facilitation must be balanced on both the import and export sides to drive sustainable growth.
