The Federal Government of Nigeria has set an end-of-November 2026 deadline for ministries, departments, and agencies to fully execute Phase 2 of the National Single Window project to eliminate bureaucratic trade bottlenecks hindering non-oil exports. Speaking in Abuja during a stakeholder engagement on the platform's second phase and the new Export Tracker, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, emphasized that the initiative must move toward a unified operating model defined by "one portal, one submission, and one coordinated process." This streamlined approach aims to end long-standing fragmentation, eliminate redundant container inspections by multiple regulatory bodies, and ensure exporters no longer have to navigate complex internal government procedures. Participating agencies are now required to establish clear milestones, accountabilities, and delivery timelines ahead of the late-November target.
Since its launch on March 27, the digital trade platform has demonstrated strong adoption, processing over 124,614 permits and licenses while registering 11,096 importers and trade agents. The portal has facilitated approximately ₦12.59 billion in regulatory payments, led by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria with ₦9.95 billion across 85,000 processed documents, and NAFDAC with ₦2.59 billion across nearly 39,000 documents. Integration has also expanded rapidly into logistics, onboarding 25 of 27 air cargo carriers generating over 2,523 air manifests and enrolling 48 of 88 shipping lines since electronic sea-manifest submissions were introduced. Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, alongside National Single Window Secretariat Director Tola Fakolade, underscored that strict adherence to implementation timelines and ongoing technical refinements will be vital to making trade faster and more predictable. Ultimately, the second phase serves as a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to diversify national revenue beyond crude oil and propel Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Enjoying this article? Share it with your network!
Information provided by Edfrica is for awareness purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement.
