The Federal Government has launched the National Single Window (NSW) platform, a digital trade initiative aimed at revolutionising cargo clearance, facilitating trade and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.
Speaking at the official go-live ceremony in Lagos, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the platform as a “game changer” that would significantly improve efficiency in the country’s trade ecosystem.
He said the initiative marked a major step in the government’s efforts to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamline processes and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Edun noted that the NSW, launched in 2024 by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and represents a shift from fragmented trade procedures to a coordinated, technology-driven system.
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the platform as a landmark digital solution connecting all government agencies involved in trade regulation and cargo clearance.
She explained that the system allows traders to submit documentation once through a single online portal, eliminating duplication and reducing manual processes.
According to her, the platform enables real-time tracking of documents, automated data sharing and improved risk management across agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
For his part, the Executive Chairman of the National Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, said the platform would reduce the time and cost of import and export transactions while improving transparency and revenue generation.
He added that the success of the initiative would depend on improvements in physical infrastructure, particularly at the nation’s ports, warning that inefficiencies in port operations could limit expected gains.
Director of the NSW Project, Tola Fakolade, said the platform would officially go live on March 27, 2026, with the first phase covering import licences, permits and certificates for key regulatory agencies.
He added that a pilot phase for cargo manifest submissions would begin with selected shipping lines and air cargo operators, with full integration expected by May 1, 2026.
Fakolade noted that the system incorporates a risk management framework to assess importers based on compliance history, a move expected to reduce physical inspections and speed up cargo clearance.
The government said the initiative would significantly cut trade delays, lower transaction costs and boost investor confidence, positioning Nigeria as a more competitive player in regional and global trade.
