The Kaduna Inland Dry Port (KIDP) has emerged the Best Dry Port in Africa, receiving the award from the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) for its contribution to inland port operations, cargo logistics and trade facilitation.

The award was presented to KIDP at the MARCON National Conference on Sustainable Fishing held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

KIDP, operated by Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), has become an important component of Nigeria’s inland cargo and logistics network, providing a platform for the handling and movement of import and export cargo closer to businesses and cargo owners in the hinterland.

The facility’s operations include cargo handling, warehousing, cargo consolidation, haulage and related shipping and logistics services, supporting connectivity between inland markets and the nation’s maritime gateways.

Presenting the award, MARCON said the recognition reflects KIDP’s contribution to the development of inland port operations and its role in strengthening cargo logistics and trade facilitation.

The award also highlights the growing importance of inland port infrastructure in expanding access to port services and improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s cargo transportation and logistics chain.

It was commissioned in January 2018 to serve as a port of origin for exports and a port of destination for imports.

According to Ismail Aniemu, President of MARCON, KIDP was selected after careful measurement of the Port’s impact in bringing port activities closer to the northern part of Nigeria.

Aniemu noted that a MARCON study of ten dry ports and off dock facilities in different parts of Africa confirmed KIDP’s position as one with the greatest impact connecting Lagos and Eastern ports to Kaduna and environs.

The MARCON President said other ports studied in different African countries include City Deep — Gauteng, South Africa; TCT — Tema, Ghana; Mombasa Container Terminal–ICD — Mombasa, Kenya; TRCB Bobo Dioulasso — Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; Kagbelen — Kagbélen near Conakry, Guinea; APM Terminals Bamako — Bamako, Mali; Bangui Terminal — Bangui, Central African Republic; Modjo Dry Port — Modjo about 61 km southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Port of Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The MARCON study further confirmed KIDP’s operational resilience in continually connecting the ports in Lagos, Rivers States and other parts of the country despite the near absence of seamless rail linking the seaports to Nigeria’s first and fastest growing dry port in Kaduna.

He described KIDP’s contribution to import, export, agricultural and industrial development as one that resonates strongly with the Nigerian government’s drive for national economic diversification and sustainable development

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Omotayo Philip Dada, Managing Director of inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), operator of KIDP, said the company remains resolute on it’s thrust for excellence in customer satisfaction and overall compliance.

Dada said KIDP, though a Nigerian company, would always operate in line with global best practices and shall keep contributing to supporting Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime country in Africa.

The recognition forms part of MARCON’s 2026 awards, which honour individuals and organisations for notable contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry and related sectors.

The conference, themed “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” brought together policymakers, regulators, maritime industry operators, researchers, training institutions and other stakeholders to examine pathways for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s fisheries sector.