President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic and investment drive received a fresh boost on Thursday as global port operator APM Terminals pledged a $600 million investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
In a statement made available to The News Chronicle, the commitment was disclosed by Igor van den Essen, Regional President, APM Terminals Africa–Europe, during a meeting with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
He was accompanied by senior executives including Martijn Van Dongen, Head of Investments, and Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria.
Van den Essen said the planned investment would target the modernisation of Apapa Port, expansion of logistics infrastructure, and broader long-term development of Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
President Tinubu welcomed the commitment, reiterating that ongoing economic reforms are aimed at repositioning Nigeria for global competitiveness. He stressed the administration’s drive to dismantle structural bottlenecks and modernise port operations through advanced technology, faster cargo clearance, and improved efficiency across terminals.
He added that Nigeria’s large market size, skilled workforce, and economic potential make it a prime destination for world-class maritime and logistics investment, urging more global investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities created by the reforms.
Earlier, Van den Essen commended Tinubu’s reform agenda, saying it had strengthened investor confidence and renewed momentum for long-term infrastructure financing. He described Nigeria as a strategic hub within APM Terminals’ African operations, noting more than two decades of engagement in the country’s port sector.
He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Nigeria, including deploying advanced technology to support more efficient, world-class terminal operations.
The APM delegation further praised the introduction of the National Single Window (NSW), describing it as a major reform that has streamlined trade processes, improved Customs coordination, and reduced cargo clearance delays.
In a separate engagement with executives of Winme Group, President Tinubu also called for deeper investment partnerships across logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure. He emphasised the need for interconnected investments linking ports, transport networks, processing facilities, and export systems to drive industrial growth and competitiveness.
The delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term investment outlook, citing growing optimism around the administration’s reform agenda.
