APM Terminals Pledges $600m Investment in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector, Seeks Deeper Partnership

APM Terminals has pledged a fresh $600 million investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector, reinforcing confidence in the country’s ongoing economic reforms and port modernisation drive.

The commitment was disclosed on Thursday by Igor van den Essen, Regional President, APM Terminals Africa-Europe, during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed 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, APM Terminals, and Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria.

Van den Essen said the planned investment will focus on the modernisation of Apapa Port, expansion of logistics infrastructure, and long-term private sector participation in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

President Tinubu welcomed the development, saying Nigeria is repositioning itself for greater global competitiveness through ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure upgrades. He stressed the government’s commitment to removing structural bottlenecks, modernising port operations, and improving efficiency through advanced technology and faster cargo processing systems.

He added that Nigeria has the market size, skilled workforce, and economic potential to support globally competitive maritime and logistics investments, urging international investors to take advantage of opportunities created by ongoing reforms.

Van den Essen commended the administration’s reform agenda, saying it has strengthened investor confidence and renewed interest in long-term infrastructure investment. He described Nigeria as a strategic hub in APM Terminals’ African operations, noting over 20 years of engagement in the country’s port sector.

He also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Nigeria and highlighted plans to deploy advanced technology to improve terminal operations and efficiency. He further praised the introduction of the National Single Window (NSW), noting that it has streamlined trade procedures, improved Customs coordination, and reduced cargo clearance delays.

In a separate meeting with Winme Group executives, President Tinubu also called for deeper investment partnerships across logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure development. He emphasised the need for coordinated systems linking ports, transport networks, processing facilities, and export infrastructure to drive industrial growth.

The delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long-term investment outlook, citing the government’s reform direction as a key driver of renewed investor interest.