APM Terminals commits $600 million to Nigeria’s maritime sector.

• Seeks deeper investment partnerships 

• IFC sending a team to explore scalable investment in energy, livestock, housing

• Tinubu seeks decentralisation of energy systems and transmission infrastructure in Africa

President Bola Tinubu’s economic and investment agenda received a significant boost on Thursday when world‑class port operator APM Terminals announced a $600 million investment in Nigeria’s maritime sector. APM Terminals Africa‑Europe Regional President Igor van den Essen revealed the commitment during a meeting with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

The APM delegation included Head of Investments Martijn Van Dongen and APM Terminals Nigeria CEO Frederik Klinke.

Essen said the planned investments would focus on modernising Apapa port, expanding logistics infrastructure, and fostering long‑term private‑sector participation in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga quoted Tinubu as welcoming the investment, noting that Nigeria is repositioning itself for greater competitiveness through ongoing economic reforms and infrastructure upgrades.

He added that the country is determined to move beyond structural bottlenecks and outdated systems, stressing the need for advanced technology, faster cargo processing, and improved operational efficiency across its ports.

The president highlighted Nigeria’s market scale, talent base, and economic potential as foundations for globally competitive maritime and logistics infrastructure. He urged other investors to take advantage of the country’s reform outcomes.

Earlier, Essen praised Tinubu’s reform agenda and policy direction, which he said had strengthened investor confidence and created renewed momentum for long‑term infrastructure projects.

He described Nigeria as a strategic stronghold within APM’s African operations, citing over 20 years of collaboration and substantial existing investments in the country’s port ecosystem.

The APM Terminals chief reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding investments in Nigeria, outlining plans to support the development of world‑class terminal infrastructure and technology‑driven port operations.

He also commended Tinubu for establishing the National Single Window (NSW), which has streamlined trade procedures, improved customs coordination, and reduced cargo clearance delays.

In another meeting with Winme Group executives, Tinubu called for deeper investment partnerships to unlock opportunities in logistics, mining, shipping, and integrated infrastructure development.

He stressed the need for integrated investments linking ports, transport systems, processing facilities, and export infrastructure to drive industrial growth and competitiveness.

The Winme Group delegation expressed confidence in Nigeria’s long‑term investment potential, having closely followed Tinubu’s reforms.

Similarly, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced it would send a mission to Nigeria to explore scalable investment structures that could unlock private capital in the sector. Managing director Diop Makhtar made the announcement in Kigali on Thursday during a meeting with Tinubu on the sidelines of the 13th Africa CEO Summit.

Makhtar, who led an IFC delegation that included Ethiopis Tafari, Regional Vice President Africa, and Dahlia Khalifa, Director Central Africa and Nigeria, said IFC was interested in discussing collaboration modalities with Nigeria in energy, housing, and livestock production.

He praised Tinubu for the bold reforms initiated by his administration, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and the harmonisation of the exchange rate.

Makhtar described Nigeria’s reform process as courageous and transformative, noting that it sends a strong signal to international investors about the country’s commitment to difficult but necessary reforms.

He said, “President Tinubu, you have been so courageous in removing the subsidy. When you did it, I said to myself, President Tinubu took the bull by the horns.”

Makhtar added that local‑currency facilities and banking partnerships, including structures involving Nigerian financial institutions such as Access Bank, could strengthen efforts toward interstate financial integration, ease trade, and enhance business across the continent.

He said African leaders face common development challenges and must collectively drive an “African Renaissance” built around strong African institutions and regional economic champions.

At the meeting, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to harnessing private capital for institutional development.

He stated that it has become imperative for African pension funds to evolve into strategic development finance instruments capable of supporting major infrastructure and productive‑sector investments.

The president also said African leaders, as well as the private sector, must focus on mobilising African institutional capital to finance infrastructure, energy transition, and long‑term economic transformation across the continent.

He said this is fundamental to the realisation of the continental effort to upscale development and lift Africa out of its present socio‑economic challenges.

Tinubu said the continent must also focus on decentralising energy systems and transmission infrastructure to attract private‑sector investment, including strengthening regional interconnectivity and transmission lines as part of Africa’s long‑term industrialisation agenda.

He added, “If you want Africa to leapfrog, then energy transmission and decentralisation are important. The funding gap is there, and we must work together.”

The meeting discussed mechanisms for using institutional investors, local‑currency financing structures, and swap arrangements to deepen infrastructure funding.