World Bank Ranks Apapa, Tin Can Among Most Improved Ports

Nigeria’s maritime sector has received a significant boost after the World Bank ranked Apapa Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex among the 20 most improved ports globally.

The recognition was contained in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, a joint global assessment that evaluates ports based on operational efficiency, vessel turnaround time and cargo-handling performance.

The ranking reflects the impact of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s port infrastructure and improving service delivery across the maritime sector. According to the report, both ports recorded substantial improvements that earned them places in the global Top 20 Port Improvement category.

The achievement is being viewed as a major endorsement of the reform agenda being implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which has focused on infrastructure upgrades, equipment modernisation and operational efficiency.

The CPPI is widely regarded as one of the most important international benchmarks for measuring port performance. Governments, investors, shipping companies and logistics operators rely on the index to assess competitiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

The NPA noted that enhanced port operations have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s improving trade performance by facilitating faster movement of imports and exports.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦7.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, underlining the strategic importance of efficient port operations to economic growth and international trade.

Reacting to the ranking, NPA Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho attributed the progress to sustained investments in infrastructure and supportive government policies.

He also credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and the backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for creating an enabling environment for continued investment.

Dantsoho expressed optimism, that the ongoing modernisation projects are expected to further improve cargo throughput, reduce delays and strengthen Nigeria’s position within regional and global supply chains.