By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the first phase of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital platform designed to streamline international trade processes and tackle the persistent congestion burden on Nigerian businesses.
The initiative was unveiled by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and improving ease of doing business.
Edun said the launch aligns with ongoing efforts by the administration of Bola Tinubu to stabilise the economy and enhance trade competitiveness, particularly through the upgrade of key ports such as Apapa and Tin Can Island, which handle about 70 percent of the nation’s cargo traffic.
He expressed concern that Nigeria’s ports currently suffer from prolonged cargo dwell times, averaging between 18 and 21 days—far above the global average of four days.
According to him, this inefficiency has significantly increased the cost of doing business, delayed shipments, and weakened the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in international markets.
The minister noted that about 73 percent of the delays are linked to “transaction dwell time,” including documentation, customs processing, and regulatory approvals, rather than physical infrastructure constraints.
“To address this, Phase 1 of the NSW introduces a unified digital portal that enables electronic submission of Licences, Permits, and Certificates, as well as digital manifest processing and centralised risk management across agencies,” Edun said.
He explained that the platform would eliminate multiple agency visits and reduce duplication of processes, thereby cutting delays and improving efficiency in cargo clearance.
Edun added that the ongoing modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports is expected to further ease congestion by improving cargo handling systems, vessel turnaround time, and truck evacuation processes.
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The government targets a reduction in cargo dwell time from the current 21 days to less than seven days by 2026, bringing Nigeria closer to global standards and lowering logistics costs.
He said the reforms would benefit importers and manufacturers through faster access to raw materials and reduced demurrage costs, while exporters would gain improved access to global markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Addressing concerns about the port upgrade partnership, the minister maintained that the arrangement is mutually beneficial, noting that Nigeria would gain modern infrastructure, increased productivity, and job creation, while investors would benefit from commercial opportunities.
Edun described the initiative as a major step toward eliminating the hidden “congestion tax” on businesses, declaring that the country is positioning itself as a more efficient and competitive trading hub.
“Nigeria is not just opening a window; Nigeria is opening for business,” he said.
