FG unveils national single window trade platform to Boost Economy
Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms Tuesday received a boost as the Federal Government unveiled the Phase 1 of the National Single Window (NSW) platform to moderate the trade ecosystem.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, while launching the platform in Lagos, noted that the coordinated reform was designed to cut cargo dwell time, reduce trade costs, and unlock economic growth.
“Nigeria has taken a decisive step to modernise its trade ecosystem with the launch of Phase 1 of the National Single Window (NSW). It coincides with the deal last week to upgrade Apapa (Built 1913) and Tin Can (Built 1977) Ports. This is a coordinated reform designed to cut cargo dwell time, reduce trade costs, and unlock economic growth,” he said.
Mr. Edun noted that the NSW and port modernisation were part of a wider economic strategy under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve ease of doing business, attract and scale investment, and target 7% medium-term economic growth.
“These reforms demonstrate a coordinated, system-wide approach to economic transformation,” he said.
The Minister stated that as of 2025, cargo dwell time in Nigerian ports averages 18–21 days, approximately 475% higher than the global average of 4 days, resulting in high cost of doing business, delays for importers and exporters, and reduced competitiveness of Nigerian goods.
He stated that 73% of cargo dwell time is “transaction dwell time” spent on documentation, Customs processing and regulatory approvals.
Mr. Edun informed that the Phase 1 of the NSW directly targets the 73% transaction delay component by: Introducing one single digital platform for trade documentation, Eliminating multiple agency visits and duplicative processes, Enabling Electronic submission of Licences, Permits, Certificates (LPCOs), Digital manifest processing, Centralised risk management across agencies, Transparent electronic payments, Faster document processing, Reduced human interface and bottlenecks and Predictable and transparent timelines.
He said tackling port inefficiency at its root would address the 73% delays, adding that the port upgrades would ensure that physical movement matches digital efficiency.
He also mentioned that the reforms would reduce dwell time from 21 days to under 7 days in 2026, reducing costs, boosting trade, and improving competitiveness while the partnership model delivers real, measurable benefits to Nigeria.
The unveiling of the National Single Window and the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Ports represents a turning point in Nigeria’s trade and economic trajectory.
The reform was designed to make Nigeria faster, more competitive, and fully integrated into global trade.
