In a landmark partnership poised to transform Nigeria's maritime and export economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) are joining forces to deepen investment in the Marine and Blue Economy sectors, with ambitious plans to generate up to $7 million in daily revenue from fertiliser exports.
The collaboration is designed to enhance Nigeria's non-oil export capabilities, accelerate port efficiency, and establish the country as a major player in global trade.
During a high-level meeting at the NPA headquarters in Lagos, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, affirmed DIL's commitment to expanding export operations, especially in fertiliser, cement, coal, polypropylene, and refined petroleum products. He revealed that Dangote's operations alone will soon account for an estimated 16,000 tons of fertiliser exports daily, translating to $6.5 million to $7 million in revenue every day.
"With our growing export programme, Dangote Industries will be the major supplier of foreign exchange in Nigeria. We'll be exporting fertiliser, polypropylene, refined products, and more," Dangote said.
Dangote noted that the group's refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone will handle over 600 vessels annually, including 240 crude oil tankers. "This is an operation that has never been seen in the country before," he emphasized.
He lauded the NPA's leadership for their proactive support, stressing the need for additional government backing to provide more equipment and tug boats for Nigeria's port operations.
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"Our operations will sink without the NPA's services. We'll put in a word at the top level to ensure NPA receives the support it needs to meet the scale of what's coming," he added.
On his part, NPA Managing Director/CEO Mohammed Bello-Koko expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria's ports, noting the impact of recent federal policies such as the Naira-for-Crude initiative and the One-Stop-Shop for port transactions.
He said the Authority has already begun handling over 57 vessels monthly, exceeding Dangote's original projection of 600 vessels annually.
"We are witnessing increased efficiency, and with the implementation of the National Single Window and the near-completion of the Port Community System, we expect further gains across all port operations," Bello-Koko stated.
On port expansion, he confirmed that government-approved modernization of the Tin Can and Apapa ports would commence in the third quarter of 2025. In addition, the development of new deep seaports in Ibom, Bakassi, Ondo, Olokola, and Badagry is in the pipeline.
This public-private synergy between NPA and Dangote Group is being viewed as a strategic leap toward Nigeria's vision of becoming a regional trade hub, driving non-oil exports, creating jobs, and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
