It was a day of big promises and bigger opportunities at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) rolled out the red carpet for traders and investors, urging them to tap into newly simplified export channels that could open their businesses to the world.
Speaking during the NPA Special Day at the fair, NPA’s Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, didn’t hold back on showcasing how the Authority is revamping its operations to help Nigerian businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises—get global attention.
“The export process used to be complicated, filled with red tape and delays,” Dantsoho said. “But with our new Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), we’ve changed that narrative. We’re bringing global markets closer to local producers—even those in the remotest parts of Nigeria.”
These EPTs, he explained, serve as one-stop shops where goods can be packaged, documented, certified, and moved seamlessly via an electronic call-up system. It’s all part of the NPA’s effort to boost non-oil exports and connect more Nigerians to international trade, especially in alignment with the federal government’s push for ease of doing business.
To make port operations more efficient and transparent, the NPA is also working toward fully automating its services with a new Ports Community System (PCS), laying the foundation for the National Single Window—a game-changer that will digitally connect all trade stakeholders.
But beyond tech and logistics, Dr. Dantsoho’s message was clear: the NPA wants partnerships, and the Trade Fair is a golden opportunity to start conversations. He urged visitors to connect with the NPA team at their pavilion and explore further online at nigerianports.gov.ng.
He also praised the Enugu Chamber of Commerce for keeping the Trade Fair alive and relevant, calling Enugu a strategic hub with untapped export potential. “This region has what it takes to go global,” he said. “And the NPA is ready to be the bridge.”
With a blend of tech, accessibility, and genuine outreach, the NPA’s presence at the Enugu Fair sent a clear signal: Nigeria’s ports aren’t just gateways—they’re launchpads. And the world is waiting.
