FG digitises export permits, eyes faster trade processes

From Tony John, Port Harcourt The Federal Government is set to introduce a one-stop digital platform for export documentation from December 14, in a move aimed at reducing delays, eliminating multiple paperwork and blocking revenue leakages in the country’s export process. The platform, known as the National Single Window (NSW), will allow exporters to obtain permits and approvals from different regulatory agencies through one system instead of visiting several offices or submitting the same documents repeatedly. Project Director of the National Single Window, Mr. Tola Fakolade, disclosed this on Thursday at the Phase 2 Export Sensitisation Joint Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt. He said the first part of Phase 2 would go live on December 14, covering the issuance of export permits by regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Federal Produce Inspection Service. “The first part will go live on the 14th of December. It is for the issuance of export permits by all the regulatory agencies – SON, NAFDAC, Federal Produce Inspection Service, and all the regulatory agencies that issue permits and inspect our products before they are exported,” Fakolade said. He added that the second batch, which will cover processes handled by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would become operational in the first quarter of 2027. Fakolade said the second phase would build on the gains recorded under Phase 1, which focused on the submission of import licences and permits through a single platform. He explained that importers previously had to use different systems to submit documents to agencies such as SON, NAFDAC and Quarantine, but the new arrangement had made it possible to submit the required certificates in one place. According to him, the platform has also improved compliance and helped prevent revenue leakages by ensuring that traders meet regulatory requirements. “Because of the enforced compliance on the platform, it actually forces users to be compliant. And when there is compliance, then there is blockage of revenue leakages,” he said. “So, we believe that building on the success that we had in the first phase, in this second trade that is based on export, we can build on that and achieve our objectives.” The project director disclosed that the sensitisation exercise had covered Enugu, Akure, Jos, Lagos and Port Harcourt, with Kano and Abuja next on the schedule. He said end-user training would begin on Monday, November 16, urging exporters and other stakeholders to participate ahead of the December launch. NSW handles N17bn transactions for NAFDAC, SON, others in 8 monthsSingle Window processes 156,026 trade documents, readies export phaseNigerian ports and timely cargo clearance “We just finalized our user acceptance testing. We are encouraging everybody to ensure that they are part of this training. So far, we are making very good progress and we are getting ready for the launch,” he said. Also speaking, Comptroller Aondona Fanyam, who oversees Compliance and Modernisation at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters, said the project was designed to make Nigerian products more competitive in international markets. He said Customs was working with other government agencies and the National Single Window Secretariat to ensure that documents not yet available electronically were digitised and linked to B’Odogwu, the existing Customs trade application, and the National Single Window platform. “What we are doing here is working as a team – Nigeria Customs, other MDAs, and the National Single Window Secretariat – to ensure that all those documents that are not digitalised are digitalised and integrated with B’Odogwu, the existing trade application, and the National Single Window for seamless operation and efficiency,” Fanyam said. He explained that the system would eliminate repeated submission of documents to different government agencies, as all relevant authorities would be able to access the information from a single point. “The National Single Window Project is an initiative of the President to ensure single submission. By single submission, all documents are submitted in one place. Any agency that needs the information picks it from that point of submission, so you don’t need to submit the same information to multiple independent systems,” he said. Fanyam said the phased implementation of the project was allowing the government to build on the experience gained from import processes as it extends the digital system to exports. He identified resistance to change, inadequate knowledge and limited capacity as some of the challenges encountered during Phase 1, adding that the government was addressing them through stakeholder sensitisation and practical training. He also noted that differences in the level of digital development among government agencies, with some still relying on manual processes, had caused delays and documentation errors. However, he said the new platform would make it easier for agencies to retrieve documents electronically. “Now with the digital, you only need the reference number of that documentation to be able to call that documentation from the National Single Window House,” he said. The officials said the project, being implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), was expected to simplify export procedures, reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency and make Nigerian goods more competitive in global markets. Tags:

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