The federal government is set to roll out the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, aimed at reducing business costs at Nigeria’s ports by at least 25%. This move is expected to close revenue leakages exceeding $3 billion annually and tackle supply chain disruptions affecting 70% of logistics firms.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made this statement during a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos on the establishment of the National Single Window.
Launched by President Bola Tinubu in 2024, the National Single Window aims to streamline trade processes, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance transparency. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have been appointed as the project’s implementing agencies.
Oyetola acknowledged Nigeria’s significant potential in the marine and blue economy but noted challenges such as inefficient port operations, bureaucratic barriers, and poor stakeholder coordination. He emphasized that the ministry and its agencies are working diligently to address infrastructure gaps and implement the necessary systems and equipment for a seamless transition to the National Single Window platform.
Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of State for Finance and Economy, stated that the National Single Window (NSW) platform could bring Nigeria an annual economic benefit of approximately $2.7 billion through global paperless trade. She highlighted that countries such as Singapore, Korea, UAE, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia have experienced substantial improvements in trade efficiency after adopting similar systems. Uzoka-Anite emphasized that the NSW initiative is a transformative effort aimed at enhancing trade operations.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, emphasized that “Our single window project will provide a centralized digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation – eliminating corruption through improved transparency, reducing administrative burdens, and significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.”
She said the NSW will enable Nigerian businesses to better compete in global markets and drive job creation in export-driven sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub under AfCFTA.
Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), pointed out that Nigeria has the potential to become a transit port for land-locked countries, with 16 out of the 44 globally located in Africa. He is optimistic that the National Single Window (NSW) will play a key role in helping Nigeria reach its $1 trillion economic goal by 2031.
He emphasized that the establishment of an integrated platform connecting key sectors such as seaports, airports, free trade zones, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector will revolutionize Nigeria’s approach to international trade.
