Nigeria’s maritime sector has received a major international endorsement as the World Bank has ranked the Apapa Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex among the world’s top 20 most improved ports in its 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), released in June 2026.
The recognition marks a significant milestone for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and comes amid ongoing reforms aimed at improving port efficiency, reducing vessel turnaround time and strengthening the country’s position as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
According to the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, which evaluates global ports based on operational efficiency and the amount of time vessels spend in port, both Apapa and Tin Can ports recorded substantial improvements, earning them places in the global Top 20 Port Improvement category.
The achievement is being viewed as a major validation of the operational reforms and modernization initiatives introduced under the leadership of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho. The NPA has in recent years intensified efforts to improve cargo handling processes, streamline port operations, enhance infrastructure and boost overall efficiency across the nation’s seaports.
The CPPI is regarded as one of the most authoritative global benchmarks for measuring port performance. The index provides a consistent, data-driven assessment of ports worldwide, enabling governments, investors and shipping companies to compare efficiency levels and identify improvements across different maritime gateways.
The latest ranking comes at a time when Nigeria is recording significant gains in international trade. Industry observers note that improved port performance has played a crucial role in facilitating trade flows and supporting the country’s economic growth objectives.
The recognition also follows the Nigerian Ports Authority’s contribution to the country’s growing trade surplus. According to data recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦7.54 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, continuing a positive trend that has seen the country maintain successive annual trade surpluses since 2024.
