APM Terminals pledges $600m for Nigeria ports
Abuja, May 2026 (TBL Africa) President Bola Tinubu’s economic diplomacy recorded another breakthrough on Thursday during strategic investment talks in Kigali, Rwanda.
His administration secured fresh investment commitments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and expanding private-sector participation.
Global port operator, APM Terminals, pledged 600 million dollars for major projects across Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector.
The commitment was announced during the Africa CEO Forum, attended by business leaders, policymakers, and investors.
The meeting formed part of Tinubu’s broader campaign to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
The APM Terminals executives met with Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the forum.
The APM Terminals’ delegation was led by Igor van den Essen, Regional President for Africa-Europe operations.
Also present were Martijn Van Dongen, Head of Investments, and Frederik Klinke, APM Terminals Nigeria chief executive.
Details of the engagement were disclosed by presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
Van den Essen described Nigeria as one of the company’s most strategic investment destinations in Africa.
He said, “Nigeria remains central to our long-term growth ambitions across the African market.”
He explained that the fresh investment would support port modernisation and logistics transformation.
He said, “The planned investments will strengthen Apapa Port and improve operational infrastructure.”
According to him, funding will also support technology deployment and long-term efficiency improvements.
He said improved infrastructure would help reduce congestion and improve cargo turnaround times.
Van den Essen praised Nigeria’s economic reforms under Tinubu’s administration.
He said recent policy adjustments had created stronger investor confidence and renewed private-sector interest.
He added, “We are seeing clearer direction, stronger coordination, and encouraging policy consistency.”
Tinubu welcomed the company’s renewed confidence in Nigeria’s economy, describing the investment pledge as a strong endorsement of his administration’s reforms.
The President said, “Nigeria is prepared to compete with the best economies in the world.”
He stressed that modern infrastructure remained essential to unlocking economic growth.
Tinubu said outdated systems must give way to innovation and faster business processes.
He said, “Efficiency, technology, and transparency must define our ports and logistics sector.”
The President noted that Nigeria’s population and market size made it attractive for investors.
He said the country possessed abundant talent and expanding industrial opportunities.
Tinubu urged more global investors to consider Nigeria as a preferred destination. He said reforms across taxation, trade, and infrastructure were opening fresh possibilities.
The President also highlighted ongoing efforts to simplify cargo processing procedures.
He said faster port operations would improve Nigeria’s regional competitiveness.
Tinubu praised collaboration between government institutions and private investors.
He noted that such partnerships remained critical to long-term national development.
Van den Essen also commended the National Single Window initiative, saying the programme had improved customs coordination and reduced trade bottlenecks.
He added, “This initiative supports faster cargo movement and greater operational transparency.”
In another meeting, Tinubu received executives of Winme Group where discussions focused on investment opportunities across logistics, shipping, mining, and industrial infrastructure.
Tinubu encouraged deeper partnerships that would connect ports with processing and export facilities, saying integrated infrastructure remained vital for industrial expansion.
The President said, “Nigeria seeks investors willing to build sustainable long-term partnerships.”
Winme Group executives expressed confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction. They said ongoing reforms were strengthening the country’s investment appeal.
The delegation also praised the administration’s commitment to economic restructuring and infrastructure development.
