The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has announced that the country’s ports are open for increased foreign investments with opportunities for productive public-private partnerships (PPP) like the Lekki Deep Seaport and others.

Managing Director, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting increased investor participation in port development while highlighting steps taken to boost the productivity levels of all the nation’s maritime gateways.

Dantsoho stated this during the Investopedia forum co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates in Lagos.

He restated the Federal Government’s recent moves to make Nigeria a leading port destination in Africa through modernisation and rehabilitation.

He added that Nigerian ports are investment-ready with copious opportunities for productive public-private partnerships like the successful venture seen in the Lekki Deep Seaport and others.

According to him, the Federal Government’s modernisation programmes like the National Single Window (NSW), which goes live by the end of 2026, first quarter; approvals for port rehabilitation and truck electronic access are ways the government has demonstrated commitment to the port sector.

The NPA MD also listed approvals given for the commencement of virgin port projects in Badagry, Olokola, Bonny and others as a demonstration of the Nigerian government’s readiness to make its ports fertile grounds for local and foreign investors.

Speaking on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dantsoho emphasised that modern, resilient ports and integrated logistics systems are essential to unlocking Africa’s trade potential, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing transparency and reliability across maritime and logistics value chains.

He said the NPA has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to development and strategic partnerships, as it showcased its vision for resilient, efficient and future-ready port infrastructure at the Investopia Global Lagos Summit.

According to Dantsoho, Nigeria’s size and location position it as West Africa’s trade gateway, supporting the AfCFTA and providing access to landlocked markets.

The NPA MD also emphasised the importance of integrated logistics platforms, streamlined customs processes, and coordinated inland depots to improve trade flow and reduce congestion at ports.

The strategic panel, themed “Infrastructure & Logistics for Africa’s Next Phase of Trade”, also featured the Regional Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Mohamed Almenhali, who focused on port modernisation, corridor connectivity and deployment of digital trade infrastructure.

Tools such as port community systems and the Electronic Truck Monitoring System (e-truck) were highlighted for their role in enhancing efficiency, reducing congestion and improving compliance in cargo movement from seaports to inland depots.