By Benson Daniel
APM Terminals Apapa recorded a six per cent increase in export volumes during the first half of 2026, reinforcing the growing contribution of the terminal to Nigeria’s non oil export trade.
The terminal, Nigeria’s largest container facility, attributed the growth to the resilience of Nigerian exporters and operational improvements introduced to make the movement of export cargo more efficient.
Export volumes through the terminal have maintained a positive growth trajectory over the past five years, reflecting increased activity among businesses seeking access to international markets.
The terminal has implemented several measures aimed at simplifying cargo movement and reducing delays for exporters. These include dedicated export lanes at the terminal gate, which are designed to accelerate the entry and processing of export bound containers.
Rail connectivity has also become an important part of the terminal’s logistics strategy. The Lagos to Moniya rail service operates three times weekly, providing exporters with an alternative to road transportation and reducing their exposure to congestion along major routes.
The rail connection is particularly important for exporters moving agricultural commodities and other goods from inland locations to the port. Faster and more predictable cargo movement can help reduce logistics costs and improve the ability of Nigerian businesses to meet delivery schedules in international markets.
The terminal also receives export cargo through the Ebute Metta rail corridor, providing another route for moving goods into the port while helping exporters avoid some of the congestion associated with road transportation.
Major commodities exported through the terminal include soybeans, cashew nuts, cocoa, hibiscus flowers and solid minerals. The diversity of these commodities highlights the importance of efficient port infrastructure to Nigeria’s efforts to expand non oil exports.
Agricultural exports in particular require efficient logistics because delays can affect the quality of perishable and time sensitive products. Extended delays across transportation, port handling and shipping processes can increase costs and, in some cases, reduce the commercial value of exported goods.
The terminal has also continued to engage exporters and other stakeholders through its Exporters Forum, which provides a platform for businesses, government agencies, shipping lines and logistics companies to discuss challenges affecting export trade.
The forum is intended to turn feedback from exporters into practical measures that can improve cargo handling, reduce bottlenecks and strengthen the overall export value chain.
The growth recorded in the first half of the year comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its export earnings and reduce dependence on crude oil. Increasing the volume and value of agricultural, manufactured and mineral exports is central to the country’s broader strategy of strengthening foreign exchange earnings.
Efficient ports are critical to achieving that objective because high logistics costs and delays can make Nigerian products less competitive in international markets.
The six per cent increase in export volumes at APM Terminals Apapa therefore represents more than growth in activity at a single terminal. It also provides an indication of the opportunities available to Nigerian businesses as improvements in transportation and port operations make international trade more accessible.
However, sustained export growth will require continued investment in rail infrastructure, roads, port facilities, storage systems and other components of the logistics chain.
Exporters will also need predictable customs processes, faster cargo clearance and stronger coordination among stakeholders to minimise delays and reduce the cost of moving Nigerian goods to global markets.
As the country continues to pursue an export led economy, improvements in port efficiency and multimodal transportation will remain critical to strengthening the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
The performance of APM Terminals Apapa in the first half of 2026 suggests that operational improvements, better connectivity and stronger engagement with exporters can contribute to higher export volumes and support Nigeria’s broader non oil export ambitions.
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