Nigeria’s Export Trade Flourishes: NPA Reports 24.8% Growth

Nigeria’s Export Trade Flourishes: NPA Reports 24.8% Growth

By prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has released its 2025 Operational Performance Report, revealing a significant surge in the country’s maritime trade. The report shows a 24.8% growth in total cargo throughput, driven by strong export-driven trade growth. This milestone marks a major achievement in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has released its 2025 Operational Performance Report, revealing a significant surge in the country’s maritime trade. The report shows a 24.8% growth in total cargo throughput, driven by strong export-driven trade growth. This milestone marks a major achievement in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

According to the report, total cargo throughput rose from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025. Exports accounted for 39.0% of total cargo throughput, while inward traffic represented 59.2%, and transshipment contributed 1.8%. Containerized cargo grew significantly, with total container traffic increasing by 25.7% to 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

Lekki Port emerged as the leading port, handling 40.6% of the nation’s total cargo throughput, followed by Onne Port with 19.1%, and Apapa Port with 16.7%. The report also noted a remarkable 205.8% increase in transshipment containers, signaling Nigeria’s emergence as a pivotal regional logistics and trade hub.

NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history, strengthening the country’s position as a more competitive and strategic player in regional and global trade. The growth is seen as a validation of the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiatives, aimed at reducing dependence on crude oil and promoting non-oil sector exports.

The report highlights the rising importance of transshipment cargo, particularly for containerized goods destined for other West and Central African ports. The 205.8% surge in transshipment containers positions Nigeria as a strategic regional hub, attracting international shipping lines and increasing revenue for the NPA.

Maritime analysts say the growth in exports and transshipment reflects the success of policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on oil revenues, while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports in regional trade. The report reinforces the Federal Government’s efforts to expand non-oil exports, attract investment into port infrastructure, and integrate Nigeria more fully into global supply chains.

Dantsoho expressed confidence that the next phase of growth will be driven by the Federal Government-approved port modernization programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system. The comprehensive port modernization project is designed to overhaul ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, rehabilitate quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s port network.