Nigeria is losing between N500 billion and N900 billion annually due to inefficiencies and duplication in its cargo clearance system, according to the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC).
In a new report titled “Nigeria’s Path Toward Seamless Cargo Clearance: The Imperative of a Functional National Single Window,” SEREC disclosed that the absence of a National Single Window (NSW)—a unified digital trade platform—has continued to erode the country’s competitiveness and divert shipments to neighbouring ports in Cotonou, Lome, and Tema, which already operate harmonised systems.
Signed by SEREC’s Head of Research, Dr. Eugene Nweke, the report revealed that a functional NSW could attract $2–$3 billion in private logistics and maritime investments within five years, and raise the maritime sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by up to 1.5 per cent.
While commending the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for strides in digital migration, the centre identified persistent challenges such as poor system interoperability among port agencies, integrity lapses causing downtime, weak stakeholder engagement, and an excessive focus on revenue rather than trade facilitation.
SEREC projected that a fully operational NSW could increase Customs revenue by 20 per cent annually, translating to about N1.2 trillion, while cutting cargo dwell time by up to 45 per cent and trade transaction costs by 25 per cent.
This, it noted, could save private operators N300–N400 billion yearly in logistics and demurrage costs, and significantly enhance Nigeria’s global logistics competitiveness.
The research body urged the government to prioritise the creation of a homegrown, integrated digital trade system that aligns with Nigeria’s unique trade realities instead of relying on imported solutions or foreign consultants