Logistics expert, Mohammed Akoojee, has revealed that Nigeria’s ports handle only 1.6 million containers annually, a figure he said is far below the country’s trade potential when compared to peers like Indonesia and others.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of DP World Sub-Saharan Africa, stated that inefficiencies across Nigeria’s supply chain are stifling economic growth and inflating product costs, emphasising the urgent need for technology-driven reforms.

Akoojee noted that Nigeria, despite having over 200 million people, the same population size as Indonesia, handles just a fifth of the containers moved by the Asian nation.

He said, “1.6 million containers annually is far less than Nigeria’s potential. This is not because there is no demand for trade in Nigeria.

“The real issue is logistics inefficiency, from port delays to congested roads, to high transport costs. These bottlenecks add unnecessary costs to the consumer. Technology and infrastructure upgrades are critical if Nigeria wants to reach its true trade potential.”

According to him, logistics cost as a percentage of GDP in Nigeria currently account for nearly 15% of GDP, almost double the global average of 6–8%. In some cases, logistics can make up to 75% of the value of a product, making goods unaffordable for many consumers.

“Such a system is not sustainable. DP World is investing heavily in port infrastructure, warehousing, and distribution networks to reduce inefficiencies.” Akoojee said.

He said with effective logistics services, distribution, and leveraging technology, the cost can be driven down, and goods can be made more affordable.

Akoojee said that DP World is also betting on technology to transform African trade, adding that the company is rolling out artificial intelligence, blockchain, and remote-operated terminals to improve transparency and efficiency.

He explained that, “With over 8,000 trucks, multiple terminals, and more than a million square meters of warehousing across Africa, we generate vast amounts of data.