FG to Implement Single Window System, Cut Port Costs 25%

The federal government has announced plans to implement the National Single Window (NSW) System, a digital platform designed to streamline operations at Nigerian ports and reduce the cost of doing business by at least 25%.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the NSW project on April 16, 2024, as part of efforts to enhance trade efficiency and improve Nigeria’s business environment.

The NSW system is an electronic portal that integrates all agencies and stakeholders involved in import and export processes, eliminating administrative bottlenecks and enhancing transparency.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos on Tuesday, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, highlighted the significance of the initiative.

“As highlighted by the World Bank, the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports can be up to 40% higher than in other West African countries due to delays and administrative inefficiencies.

This leads to an estimated annual revenue loss of N2.5 trillion within the business community,” Oyetola said.

He emphasized that the NSW system would help cut costs by at least 25%, improve trade facilitation, and boost economic efficiency.

He also pointed to ongoing multimodal connectivity projects aimed at reducing transportation costs and enhancing logistics.

The minister revealed that the vessel turnaround time at ports has already improved, dropping from seven days to five days, while truck turnaround time has been significantly reduced from 10 days to just a few hours.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the project as a transformative reform that would redefine trade across Nigeria’s borders.

“Our single window project will provide a centralised digital platform for traders to submit, process, and access trade-related documentation.

This will eliminate corruption, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” she said.

Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, added that the initiative would help attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by improving Nigeria’s trade environment.

She referenced the success of similar systems in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Rwanda, which led to reduced clearance times, cost savings, and increased exports.

Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), stated that the NSW would play a key role in achieving President Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2031.

“For too long, Nigeria’s trade facilitation processes have been hindered by bureaucratic hurdles, leading to significant delays at the ports, increased business costs, and reduced competitiveness in the global marketplace,” Adedeji noted.

He emphasized that the NSW would integrate seaports, airports, free trade zones, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector into a unified digital platform.

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), acknowledged past challenges in implementing similar systems but emphasized the need for stakeholder collaboration for the NSW to succeed.

“To succeed, we must embrace a singular purpose backed by unwavering governmental resolve, ensuring that the single window is not just a customs project but a national strategy supported by all stakeholders,” he said.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that inter-agency cooperation was crucial for the project’s success.

Head of the NSW Secretariat, Tola Fakolade, revealed that the first phase of the project would begin this year with training and testing.

He assured stakeholders that the initiative would significantly enhance trade efficiency in Nigeria, citing successful implementations in Singapore, Djibouti, and Kenya.

With the federal government’s full backing, the NSW system is expected to transform Nigeria’s port operations, improve revenue generation, and position the country as a leading trade hub in West Africa.

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