FG unveils first phase of NSW to fix transaction delays, boost trade

​…targets reduction in dwell time to 7 days

In a bid to address the ‘congestion tax’ stifling Nigerian businesses and modernise the nation’s trade ecosystem, the Federal Government has launched the first phase of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital portal for international trade.

​The launch conducted by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Tuesday, coincides with the government’s ongoing move to upgrade the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to reduce cargo dwell time, slash trade costs, and unlock economic growth.

​According to the Minister, the NSW and port modernisation are part of a wider economic strategy under the leadership of President Tinubu to strengthen macroeconomic stability and improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

​Edun noted that as of 2025, cargo dwell time in Nigerian ports averaged 18–21 days—approximately 475 percent higher than the global average of four days. This, he said, has led to a higher cost of doing business, delays for importers and exporters, and reduced competitiveness of Nigerian goods.

​”Critically, 73 percent of cargo dwell time is ‘transaction dwell time’—time spent on documentation, customs processing, and regulatory approvals. This means the primary bottleneck is not physical infrastructure alone; it is process inefficiency,” the Minister said.

Read Also: National single window to cut cargo clearance to 48 hours, attract $3bn investment

​”Nigeria’s response is deliberate and integrated. Phase 1 of the NSW directly targets the 73 percent transaction delay component by introducing a single digital platform for trade documentation. This eliminates multiple agency visits and duplicative processes by enabling the electronic submission of Licences, Permits, and Certificates (LPCOs), digital manifest processing, and centralised risk management across agencies.”

​Edun explained that the upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, which handle 70 percent of Nigeria’s trade, is expected to address terminal congestion, inefficient cargo handling, and outdated infrastructure. This, he noted, will improve cargo discharge and evacuation, reduce port congestion, and improve turnaround times for vessels and trucks.

​He added that the reform programme is designed to reduce cargo dwell time from 21 days to under seven days by 2026, aligning Nigeria closer to global benchmarks for faster clearance, lower logistics costs, and improved reliability.

​For importers and manufacturers, the initiative aims to provide faster access to critical inputs while reducing inventory and demurrage costs. For exporters, it seeks to promote better access to global markets and increased competitiveness under the AfCFTA by reducing port delays.

​Addressing concerns regarding the port upgrade partnership, Edun clarified that it is “not a zero-sum arrangement.” He noted that Nigeria stands to gain modern infrastructure, improved productivity, and job creation, while partners participate in financing and commercial opportunities.

​”This programme targets the largest constraint to trade efficiency… and most importantly, it reduces the hidden ‘congestion tax’ borne by Nigerian businesses,” Edun said. “Nigeria is not just opening a window; Nigeria is opening for business.”