Nigeria's Apapa and Tin Can Ports Make Global Improvement List

The World Bank has named Nigeria’s Apapa Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex among the 20 most improved ports in the world. This highlights the effects of ongoing reforms and better operations in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

This recognition came in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, released by the World Bank in June. It shows significant progress in how efficiently the ports operate, how quickly vessels turn around, and how cargo is handled at these busy seaports.

The ranking appears as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) works to modernise port infrastructure, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. These efforts are part of larger reforms aimed at making Nigeria more competitive in global trade.

The report lists the two ports in the global Top 20 Port Improvement category. This shows growing trust in Nigeria’s maritime industry and its ability to support international trade.

The CPPI is a global standard for measuring port performance. It looks at how long vessels stay in port and provides data on operational efficiency across key ports around the world.

Governments, investors, shipping companies, and logistics operators use this index to measure port productivity and find areas that need improvement.

The recent ranking is seen as a big boost for the reforms happening under NPA Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho. His administration focuses on renewing infrastructure, upgrading equipment, and improving operational efficiency.

The NPA said better port operations have helped Nigeria achieve consecutive trade surpluses since 2024. This has improved the efficiency of import and export activities.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Nigeria had a trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2026. This highlights the growing importance of efficient port operations for economic growth, revenue generation, and international trade.

In response to the World Bank ranking, Mr Dantsoho credited this success to the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu and the support from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

He mentioned that ongoing investments in port infrastructure and equipment modernisation are starting to show real results. He added that the NPA will keep working on ways to improve trade facilitation and strengthen Nigerian ports' competitiveness.

“With the investor-friendly policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu giving us the boost we need for more investment in our port infrastructure and equipment modernisation, along with the strong support of Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, we have what it takes to further enhance trade facilitation, improve competitiveness, and boost the national economy,” he stated.

The World Bank’s recognition might strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector. This comes at a time when the government wants to make Nigeria a major logistics and trade hub in West Africa.

This development is also expected to help attract more private-sector investment into port infrastructure, deepen regional trade ties, and improve Nigeria’s position in global supply chains.