From Fred Itua, Abuja
The National Single Window (NSW) platform has processed 156,026 licences, permits and certificates since its launch on March 27, 2026, as the project team moves to roll out the second phase of the digital trade system.
The team disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholder engagement with the press, where it gave an update on Phase 1 and outlined preparations for Phase 2.
The NSW is designed as a centralised digital platform for trade-related regulatory processes, with the aim of improving the efficiency of cargo movement across Nigeria’s borders.
According to the update, more than 12,000 importers, customs agents, shipping lines, airlines and freight forwarders have registered on the platform. Five government agencies have been fully onboarded, and over 8,000 users have been trained.
Of the documents processed, 104,956 went through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and 50,622 through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The platform also handled 3,964 air and sea cargo manifests, made up of 3,596 air manifests from 27 airlines and 368 sea manifests from 56 shipping lines.
All airlines and air cargo companies have been onboarded, while 56 of the 88 shipping lines are now transmitting sea manifests. The team reported 99.98 per cent platform uptime and described adoption as strong.
Submission, processing and approval of import licences, permits and certificates for NAFDAC, SON, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency have been fully implemented, with related payments also processed on the platform.
On harmonisation of HS Codes, the team said rationalisation workshops had been held with regulators, including the Nigeria Customs Service. The harmonised codes are expected on both the NSW and B’Odogwu platforms by November 2026.
Onboarding of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for Ships Entry Notice submission is in progress, with the service expected to go live on November 16.
Phase 2, which has already begun, will be delivered between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. It will introduce export licences, certificates and permits, Forms NXP and NCX, export manifests, Import Duty Exemption Certificates, and permits for Free Trade Zones.
The first batch, due in the fourth quarter of 2026, covers the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Federal Produce Inspection Service, the Registered Exporter System, SON, NAFDAC and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
The second batch, due in the first quarter of 2027, includes the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Ministries of Finance, Livestock Development and Marine and Blue Economy, among others.
Phase 3, projected for the third and fourth quarters of 2027, will bring Customs Declaration submission, Form M processing, oil and gas processes, Advanced Risk Analytics and a Trade Visualisation System.
The team urged stakeholders to keep engaging with the platform and provided help desk contacts for users needing assistance.
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