RismadarVoice Reporters
May 15, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic and investment reforms received a major boost on Thursday as global port operator, APM Terminals, announced plans to invest $600 million in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The commitment was disclosed by Igor van den Essen, Regional President of APM Terminals Africa–Europe, during a meeting with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
Van den Essen, who was accompanied by senior executives including Head of Investments, Martijn Van Dongen, and CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, said the planned investment would focus on the modernisation of Apapa Port, expansion of logistics infrastructure, and long-term development of Nigeria’s maritime value chain.
President Tinubu welcomed the investment pledge, noting that Nigeria is intensifying efforts to reposition its economy for global competitiveness through ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades.
He stressed that the administration is working to eliminate structural bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the maritime and logistics sectors, while promoting the adoption of advanced technology to improve cargo handling and operational efficiency at Nigerian ports.
Tinubu further noted that Nigeria’s large market size, skilled workforce, and expanding economic opportunities make it an attractive destination for global infrastructure investors, urging other international partners to capitalise on the country’s reform-driven economic environment.
Earlier in his remarks, Van den Essen commended President Tinubu’s reform agenda, saying it has strengthened investor confidence and created renewed momentum for long-term infrastructure investments in Nigeria.
He described Nigeria as a strategic hub within APM Terminals’ African operations, highlighting over two decades of continuous engagement and significant investment in the country’s port ecosystem.
The APM Terminals chief also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Nigeria, including the deployment of advanced technology to support world-class terminal operations.
He further applauded the introduction of the National Single Window (NSW) initiative, noting that it has improved trade facilitation, enhanced coordination among agencies, and significantly reduced cargo clearance delays.
In a related engagement with executives of Winme Group, President Tinubu again called for stronger investment partnerships across key sectors including logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure.
He emphasised the importance of linking ports with transport corridors, processing hubs, and export facilities to drive industrial growth, job creation, and national competitiveness.
The investors, in turn, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term economic outlook, citing ongoing reforms as a strong signal of stability and opportunity.
