Insecurity, congestion, dredging, others listed as challenges to port investments

Insecurity, infrastructural deficiency, dredging, and congestion have been listed as factors halting seaport investments in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by Welcome2Africa International (W2AI) on the Nigeria Seaports Investment Forum (NSIF2022), which would be held in Lagos on September 28 – 29.

In an effort to improve Nigeria’s global trading ecosystem, W2AI, in partnership with Zenith Carex International Limited in the summit, themed “Repositioning Nigeria’s Seaports for Investment and Trade Attractiveness”, would address major bottlenecks like congestion, technological advancement, infrastructural deficiency, dredging, port equipment, security, logistics, and training that represent opportunities for investors at the seaports.

It would also address issues on policy, investment, international trade with Europe, and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The maiden edition of the forum is set to drive investment interest into all the seaports in Nigeria including the Lagos Apapa Port, Tin Can Island port in Lagos, Calabar Port, the Delta Warri Port, Lekki Port, Rivers Port, and the Onne Port also in Rivers State.

Other partners of NSIF2022 include the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotions Commission (NEPC), Ministry of Trade and Investment, AFEX, and Oneport365.

Speakers includes, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Saratu Umar; CEO, Nigerian Export Promotions Commission (NEPC), Ezra Yakusak; CEO Zenith Carex International Limited, Adelana Olamilekan; Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Adesoji Adesugba; Secretary General, African Shipowner Association, Olufunmilayo Folorunso; Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Eghosa Osaghae and others.