The Federal Government has entered into advanced discussions with private sector players to secure nearly $60 million in funding for the electrification of Onne Port in Rivers State. The initiative, once finalised, will establish Nigeria’s first-ever green port and position the country as a regional leader in sustainable logistics.
Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed this during the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The high-level forum, themed “Unlocking Climate Finance for Sustainable Development,” brought together policymakers, global investors, development experts, and infrastructure stakeholders to chart a practical path towards a green economy.
Speaking at the event, Shettima said the government is committed to integrating sustainability into its infrastructure planning. He noted that the Onne port electrification project marks a pivotal first step in that direction.
“Onne Port is emerging as the template for our quest to breathe life into a robust green economy,” he stated. “We are currently in talks with private investors to commit nearly $60 million to electrify the port and transform it into Nigeria’s first green port.”
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to align Nigeria’s infrastructure with global decarbonisation goals and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in the transport and logistics sectors.
Private Sector Push: APM Terminals’ Roadmap for Port Electrification
At the summit, APM Terminals—one of Nigeria’s largest port operators—presented a white paper titled “A Pragmatic Roadmap to Unlock Transformational Benefits Beyond Decarbonisation.” The document proposes an aggressive shift from fossil-powered to electrified container terminal operations.
Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, noted that Nigeria stands to gain massively from this transition. “Electrification is a key part of advancing port operations to world-class standards,” he said. “Our white paper outlines how public-private partnerships can enable decarbonised logistics infrastructure. Beyond emissions reduction, this move improves health, job creation, and efficiency.”
The paper also outlines how electrifying Nigeria’s container trade could unlock over $830 million in private sector investment by 2030, while reducing carbon emissions by over 390,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents (ktCO₂e). It also calls for urgent upgrades in power supply, port equipment, and workforce capacity to ensure a smooth transition.
Systemiq Partner Eveline Speelman emphasised the urgency, noting that nearly 60% of Nigeria’s port terminal concessions are approaching renewal. “This is the perfect moment to embed electrification into the next wave of infrastructure investment,” she said.
More than 40 global ports have already embraced electrification, including facilities in India and Kenya. Nigeria’s opportunity to leapfrog outdated systems by embracing cutting-edge technologies is now clearer than ever.
Onne Port, one of Nigeria’s key maritime hubs, currently handles a significant volume of containerised cargo. With APM Terminals operating the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) at the port, electrification is expected to improve operational capacity, minimise pollution, and enhance public health in surrounding communities.
Vice President Shettima stressed that the decarbonisation of ports is just the beginning. He underscored the administration’s commitment to embedding green policies across other transport, power, and industrial infrastructure.
“This summit is not a one-off,” he said. “It is the outcome of strategic engagements and a commitment to long-term sustainable growth. Our aim is not just to modernise our ports, but to transform them into catalysts for green industrialisation.”
As Nigeria positions itself for a low-carbon future, the green port initiative at Onne stands as a beacon of innovation and strategic collaboration. With strong public-private partnerships and bold policy direction, the electrification of Onne could be a transformative model not only for Nigeria but for the entire West African maritime industry.