President Bola Tinubu’s economic diplomacy secured another breakthrough on Thursday during strategic investment talks during his visit to Kigali, Rwanda. The investment commitment is 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 Africa CEO Forum served as the backdrop for a fresh investment commitment to Nigeria’s port sector, as global logistics giant APM Terminals pledged new funding aimed at upgrading the country’s maritime infrastructure.
The announcement came during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and senior executives of the terminal operator on the sidelines of the forum, which brought together business leaders, policymakers, and investors. The engagement forms part of Tinubu’s wider push to attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the APM Terminals delegation was led by Igor van den Essen, the company’s regional president for Africa-Europe operations. Also in attendance were Martijn van Dongen, Head of Investments, and Frederik Klinke, Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria.
Details of the meeting were disclosed in Abuja by presidential spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Speaking during the meeting, Van den Essen described Nigeria as a key market in the company’s African expansion strategy.
“Nigeria remains central to our long-term growth ambitions across the African market,” he said.
He noted that the proposed investment would focus on modernising port infrastructure and improving logistics operations across the country.
“The planned investments will strengthen Apapa Port and improve operational infrastructure,” he said.
Van den Essen added that part of the funding would be channelled toward technology upgrades and long-term efficiency initiatives aimed at easing congestion and accelerating cargo processing.
He said improved infrastructure would help reduce congestion and improve cargo turnaround times.
Commending the economic reforms introduced by Tinubu’s administration, van den Essen said recent policy measures had boosted investor confidence and reignited private sector interest.
“We are seeing clearer direction, stronger coordination, and encouraging policy consistency,” he added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed APM Terminals’ renewed commitment to invest in Nigeria, describing the pledge as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy and his administration’s reform agenda.
Speaking during a meeting with company executives on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum, Tinubu said Nigeria was positioning itself to compete globally through reforms aimed at improving infrastructure and easing business operations.
“Nigeria is prepared to compete with the best economies in the world,” the President said.
He emphasised that modern infrastructure was critical to driving economic growth, noting that outdated systems must be replaced with innovation and more efficient processes.
“Efficiency, technology, and transparency must define our ports and logistics sector,” he said.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s large population and vast market potential continued to make the country attractive to investors, adding that its growing talent pool and expanding industrial base created fresh opportunities for global businesses.
He urged more international investors to consider Nigeria as a preferred destination, stating that reforms in taxation, trade and infrastructure were creating new openings for investment.
The president also highlighted efforts to streamline cargo processing at the nation’s ports, saying faster port operations would boost Nigeria’s competitiveness across the region.
He commended collaboration between government agencies and private investors, describing such partnerships as essential to sustainable national development.
APM Terminals Regional President for Africa-Europe operations, Igor van den Essen, praised the federal government's National Single Window initiative, saying it had improved customs coordination and reduced trade bottlenecks.
“This initiative supports faster cargo movement and greater operational transparency,” van den Essen said.
In a separate meeting, Tinubu also hosted executives of Winme Group, where discussions centred on investment opportunities in logistics, shipping, mining and industrial infrastructure.
The president encouraged stronger partnerships that would link ports with processing and export facilities, stressing the importance of integrated infrastructure to industrial growth.
“Nigeria seeks investors willing to build sustainable long-term partnerships,” he said.
Executives from Winme Group expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic outlook, noting that ongoing reforms were enhancing the country’s appeal to investors. They also praised the administration’s commitment to economic restructuring and infrastructure development, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
