In a significant boost to Nigeria’s export economy, APM Terminals Apapa, the country’s largest container terminal, has announced a 30% surge in export volumes for April 2025 — the highest monthly export figure recorded since the terminal began operations in 2006.
According to a statement released on Sunday, the terminal handled 8,687 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of export cargo in April, compared to 6,606 TEUs recorded in April 2024. This development marks a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector and reflects an upward trend in export-driven trade.
Terminal Manager at APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, expressed optimism over the recent growth, noting that the consistent rise in export activity bodes well for Nigeria’s economy. “This increase is a positive indicator for our trade balance. When ships leave Nigeria fully loaded, it reduces the overall cost of inbound shipments, making our ports more competitive globally,” Knudsen said.
He credited the improvement to a combination of strategic initiatives and infrastructural upgrades aimed at enhancing cargo processing efficiency. Notably, APM Terminals launched a dedicated rail service in February 2025 to expedite cargo movement from the hinterlands directly to the Apapa Port.
“This rail connection has helped to decongest the roads and facilitated faster cargo transit from inland locations to the port. It’s a game-changer in improving turnaround times and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in the export market,” Knudsen added.
The terminal has also expanded its export yard capacity and introduced dedicated truck lanes — two critical developments that have streamlined cargo flow and reduced truck dwell times significantly. These changes support the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification plan to transition Nigeria from an import-reliant to an export-driven economy.
Knudsen praised the collaboration of key government agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), attributing much of the success to their active support and regulatory alignment. “Their cooperation allows us to maintain world-class standards in port operations and continually deliver value to our customers,” he stated.
Further data from APM Terminals Apapa shows a steady annual increase in export volumes over the past three years. In 2022, the terminal processed 53,807 TEUs of export cargo, rising to 70,432 TEUs in 2023 and 77,631 TEUs in 2024 — culminating in this record-breaking month in 2025.
Industry experts have lauded the terminal’s performance, noting its role in unlocking Nigeria’s export potential in sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, and manufacturing. With streamlined operations and improved logistics infrastructure, stakeholders say Nigeria is poised to compete more aggressively in international trade.
As global demand for Nigerian products like cocoa, cashew, sesame, and solid minerals grows, logistics operators like APM Terminals are playing a critical role in bridging the supply chain gap, reducing delays, and improving port efficiency.
In conclusion, the 30% export surge at APM Terminals Apapa not only underscores the success of ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector but also reaffirms the nation’s readiness to take its place as a major exporter in Africa.