Business
Manufacturers Kick Against 15% Increment in Port Tariffs; Give Reasons
Many manufacturers who operate as tenants in NPA facilities will also face escalated costs, which could significantly disrupt the slight moderation in the mounting challenges that has bedeviled the manufacturing sector in recent times.
▪︎Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN Director-General
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), having consulted widely with its members across the country, expresses grave concern over the proposed 15% increase in port-related charges by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
In a position statement released by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, MAN Director-General, on Sunday, said that the proposed increment is coming up at a time when businesses are struggling with the rising cost of operations, high rate of foreign exchange, astronomical energy costs, and general economic uncertainties, imposing additional financial burdens on manufacturers through increased port tariffs will exacerbate the challenges faced by the real sector.
Port Operations and Their Impact on Manufacturing
Ports are the gateway to international trade and play a crucial role in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of business operations.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 80% of Nigeria’s traded goods are transported by sea, with 70% of total imports and exports in West and Central Africa destined for Nigeria.
This underscores the critical role Nigerian ports play in facilitating trade and industrial productivity.
For manufacturers, port-related charges constitute significant indirect costs, as most raw materials and industrial machinery are imported through these ports.
Any increase in charges will have a ripple effect, leading to higher production costs, increased inflationary pressures, and reduced competitiveness of locally manufactured goods.
Many manufacturers who operate as tenants in NPA facilities will also face escalated costs, which could significantly disrupt the slight moderation in the mounting challenges that has bedeviled the manufacturing sector in recent times.
The Economic Realities and Global Competitiveness
Nigeria’s current economic climate is characterized by rising inflation, foreign exchange challenges, and declining industrial capacity utilization.
Many businesses are experiencing worrying downturn due to unsustainable operating costs. Increasing port tariffs is therefore ill-timed and could signal a departure from government’s avowed efforts and commitment to the ease of doing business.
It is inevitable that this additional strain on industrial activities will ultimately lead to reduce capacity utilization and possibly job losses.
Furthermore, Nigeria must remain competitive in regional trade. Neighboring countries with more efficient and cost-effective ports will become far more attractive alternatives, leading to increased cargo diversion.
This will not only reduce revenue for the Nigerian government but will encourage smuggling and other untoward trade practices that weaken our economy.
Alternative Approaches to Revenue Generation
While we acknowledge the need for revenue generation, increasing port tariffs could be counterproductive in the long run.
The real issues affecting port revenue include:
Port congestion and inefficiency:
Reducing turnaround time for vessels and improving cargo-clearing processes can significantly boost revenue.
High demurrage charges:
Addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks that delay cargo clearance will ensure faster throughput and more efficient revenue collection. Infrastructure investment: Improving port infrastructure will enhance operational efficiency and attract more business, leading to natural revenue growth.
Competitive pricing strategies:
Instead of raising tariffs, aligning Nigerian port charges with global best practices will encourage more trade volume and increase overall earnings.
Our Appeal to the Nigerian Ports Authority
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s implores the NPA to shelve the proposed 15% tariff increase and instead, collaborate with stakeholders to explore sustainable alternatives for revenue generation.
Increasing tariffs in the current economic climate will have dire consequences, including:
1. Increased cost of production, leading to higher prices of goods and fanning inflation.
2. Reduced competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers in local and international markets.
3. Increased smuggling due to high costs at Nigerian ports compared to neighboring countries. 4. Decline in government revenue due to lower cargo turn out and manufacturing downturn.
Rather than imposing additional financial burdens on businesses, we propose a stakeholder dialogue to explore strategies for enhancing port efficiency, reducing operational bottlenecks, and creating a more business-friendly environment that will ultimately lead to increased revenue without undermining industrial growth and competitiveness.
We earnestly advocate for caution and deep reflection on the part of the NPA, as a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s economic development.
NPA’s consultation with key economic actors after it has decided on the increase is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse and does not demonstrate goodwill.
We call on NPA to rescind the planned increase in order to avert a monumental downturn in the fortunes of businesses in Nigeria.
The manufacturing sector can ill-afford such an increase at this time; it runs against the present administration’s efforts at making Nigeria a trading hub in the West African sub-region, and would definitely constitute a drag in the efforts of government to stabilize the economy in the year 2025.
Business
CPPE Tasks Govt to Fix Cost of Living Crisis Amid GDP Growth
Reacting on Nigeria’s third quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.98 percent , CPPE said that it’s laudable, but called for policy interventions to fix the cost of living crisis.
The Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) tasks the government to ensure that GDP Growth and macroeconomic stability translate into real improvements in citizens’ welfare.
Reacting on Nigeria’s third quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.98 percent , CPPE said that it’s laudable, but called for policy interventions to fix the cost of living crisis.
Dr Muda Yusuf, CEO of the CPPE, notes that despite the improvment in the GDP, the cost-of-living crisis remains a concern .
He said: ” While disinflation is underway and prices of some food items and manufactured products are easing, the social outcomes of economic reforms continue to weigh on households.
” It is therefore imperative for policymaking to prioritise targeted interventions to address the uneasiness around the cost of living and ensure that GDP Growth and macroeconomic stability translate into real improvements in citizens’ welfare—particularly for vulnerable groups.”
To consolidate the gains recorded in Q3 and unlock stronger, more inclusive growth, Dr Yusuf, said that the following policy interventions are critical:
Reduce Structural Bottlenecks
Address energy supply constraints, reduce logistics costs, improve port efficiency, and accelerate transport infrastructure development.
Mitigate the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Implement targeted social interventions and remove structural impediments that elevate consumer prices.
All tiers of government [local, state and federal] must sustain targeted interventions in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, transportation and energy to fix the cost of living crisis.
Business
Dangote Targets Nigeria Festive Season Monthly Supply of 1.5 billion litres of PMS
This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery says that it has concluded arrangements to supply over 50 million litres of petrol per day into the Nigerian market this festive season (December to January).
The company said that the decision was taken to ensure that there is no shortage of the product during the festive season.
This translates to 1.5 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the month of December.
The same amount of product will also be supplied in January 2026, it was added.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, announced the plans.
Dangote said: “In line with our commitment to national well-being, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month.
This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment.
We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.75 billion litres in February, which translates to over 60 million litres per day.”
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily.
He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Business
Dangote Partners Honeywell International to Boost Refinery Capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, has signed a landmark contract with U.S. industrial giant Honeywell International to execute a significant capacity upgrade that will boost the facility’s crude processing capability from the current 650,000 barrels per day to an ambitious 1.4 million barrels per day.
The multi-billion-dollar project, described by sources close to the deal as one of the largest refinery expansion initiatives globally in recent years, will involve the installation of advanced process units, automation systems, and energy-efficiency technologies supplied and integrated by Honeywell UOP and Honeywell Process Solutions.
Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, confirmed the partnership, stating: “This strategic collaboration with Honeywell will position the Dangote Refinery as one of the top five largest refineries in the world by capacity.
The upgrade will not only enhance our ability to meet Nigeria’s complete refined products demand but also establish the refinery as a major export hub for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals across Africa and beyond.
”The expansion is expected to be implemented in phases, with key units including additional crude distillation, hydrocracking, and catalytic reforming modules.
Honeywell’s proprietary technologies are anticipated to improve yield of high-value products while reducing energy consumption and emissions.Upon completion, the 1.4 million bpd Dangote Refinery will surpass the current global top-tier facilities such as Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar Refinery (1.24 million bpd) and Paraguay’s planned 1.2 million bpd project, cementing its status as the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during the construction and commissioning phases and further reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
A spokesperson for Honeywell confirmed the award, saying the company was “honored to partner with Dangote on this transformative project that will reshape the African downstream landscape.
”Detailed timelines and the exact value of the contract were not disclosed, but industry analysts estimate the expansion could exceed $5–7 billion in total investment.
The statement said: Dangote Group is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Honeywell International Inc to support the next phase of expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
This collaboration will provide advanced technology and services that will enable the refinery to increase its processing capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, marking a major milestone in our long-term vision to build the world’s largest petroleum refining complex.
Through this agreement, Honeywell will supply specialised catalysts, equipment, and process technologies that will allow the refinery to process a broader slate of crude grades efficiently and to further enhance product quality and operational reliability.
Honeywell, a global Fortune 100 industrial and technology company, offers a wide portfolio of solutions across aviation, automotive, industrial automation, and advanced materials.
Honeywell’s division UOP has been a technology partner to Dangote since 2017, providing proprietary refining systems, catalyst regeneration equipment, high performance column trays, and heat exchanger technologies that support our best-in-class operations.
Dangote Group is also advancing its petrochemical footprint. As part of the wider collaboration, we are scaling our polypropylene capacity to 2.4 million metric tons annually using Honeywell’s Oleflex technology.
Polypropylene is a key industrial material widely used across packaging, manufacturing, and automotive applications.In addition to refining expansion, Dangote Group is progressing with the next phase of its fertiliser growth plan in Nigeria. We will increase our urea production capacity from 3 million metric tons to 9 million metric tons annually.
The existing plant consists of two trains of 1.5 million metric tons each. The expansion will add four additional trains to meet growing demand for high-quality fertiliser across Africa and global markets.
Dangote Group remains fully committed to delivering world-class industrial capacity, strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, and driving sustainable economic growth through long-term investment, innovation, and strategic global partnerships.
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