National Single Window Secretariat
Project Background
The National Single Window (NSW) project is a federal initiative aimed at implementing a centralised electronic trade platform. This platform is designed to streamline trade processes for importers and exporters by integrating and harmonising data from multiple government agencies and stakeholders, thereby enhancing economic efficiency.
Improving trade and transport-related procedures and documentation through an electronic-based Single Window environment is widely recognised as one of the most important strategies for increasing the trade competitiveness of many economies.
With a Single Window platform, many countries have begun transforming their paper-based trade processes into paperless ones. Electronic systems for filing, transferring, processing, and exchanging regulatory and trade information for export and import have become important tools for managing cross-border trade.
Nigeria has never been more poised to align with the global drive to facilitate cross-border trade. Like its sub-Saharan counterparts, Nigeria’s current import and export procedures present a major obstacle to trade. Trade processes are cumbersome, inefficient, and lack transparency. This results in significant government revenue leakages and low ranking in ease of doing business, amongst other challenges to the different stakeholders in the trade ecosystem.
In addressing these challenges, His Excellency, Mr. President commissioned the National Single Window project on 16th of April 2024 to improve trade facilitation, enhance federal government revenue and improve national security at Nigeria’s borders.
The NSW will be leveraged to overcome existing challenges while unlocking opportunities for enhanced trade efficiency in the Nigeria trade system:
The Nigerian trade system loses revenue through financial, operational and administrative inefficiencies.
Multiple copies of the same trade-related documents for various purposes or stakeholders involved in the import/export process are being generated, leading to lack of standardisation and process inefficiencies.
Manual procedures, such as inspections, clearance, documents verification, and duty assessments, can be slow and bureaucratic, leading to delays in the movement of goods across the borders.
Limited integration and interoperability between different stakeholders, such as Nigeria Customs Service, regulatory agencies (e.g. SON, NAFDAC, etc.), port authorities, and logistics providers, result in data silos and inefficiencies in information exchange.
Transaction costs for traders, customs authorities, and other stakeholders involved in international trade increases due to the foreign exchange risks exposed to in Nigeria, inevitably leading to high operations cost and reductions in revenue.
Project Vision
To transform Nigeria into a leading trade hub in Africa through a unified digital platform that improves trade facilitation, enhances Nigeria’s global competitiveness, and ultimately promotes economic growth.
Project Mission
To streamline Nigeria’s trade processes by establishing a transparent and efficient single electronic platform, reducing complexity and costs for all stakeholders while enhancing government revenue and security
To drive Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness by fostering seamless collaboration among trade stakeholders through a unified digital platform that simplifies procedures, improves data exchange, and aligns with international best practices.
Benefits of National Single Window Platform
The implementation of the NSW platform in Nigeria is expected to meet several nation-building objectives that range from simplifying trade processes to boosting economic growth. Some of the overarching benefits include:
Simplify Trade Processes
By creating a unified digital platform, the NSW aims to streamline government trade compliance, making it easier for businesses to navigate import and export procedures through reducing bottlenecks and delays.
Revenue Generation
The initiative is expected to reduce revenue leakages, simplify clearing processes at the ports, which will result in the increase in Government revenue, attract foreign direct investments, and consequently boost economic growth.
Increase Transparency
The digital platform will help increase transparency in trade processes, making it easier to track and manage cargo clearance and logistics.
Streamlining Trade Procedures
Simplifying and harmonizing trade procedures to reduce bureaucracy and minimize delays, ensuring faster and more efficient processing of trade transactions.
Boosting Competitiveness
Providing businesses with a user-friendly platform that reduces costs and administrative burdens, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the global market.
Promoting Economic Growth
Supporting economic growth by facilitating seamless and efficient trade, thus contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the nation.
Enhancing Transparency
Creating a transparent trade environment where all stakeholders have clear visibility into the status and requirements of their transactions, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption and fostering trust.
Fostering Collaboration
Encouraging collaboration and integration among various government agencies, private sector entities, and international partners to create a cohesive and well-coordinated trade environment.
Leveraging Technology
Utilizing cutting-edge technology to create a robust, secure, and scalable platform that can adapt to the evolving needs of the trade community.
Our Mandate
On December 15, 2023, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the following:
Formation of a Presidential NSW Steering Committee responsible for project implementation.
Appointment of Federal Inland Revenue Service ("FIRS") and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority ("NSIA") as lead implementing agencies and financial managers for the initiative, with the secretariat domiciled in FIRS.
Assessment of the IT capabilities of all partner agencies involved in the NSW to evaluate their readiness for integration into the new project structure.
Steering Committee Composition
The project governance structure for the NSW project is detailed in the figure below
Steering Committee Responsibilities & Cadence
Key Responsibilities
- Acts as the project sponsor on behalf of the Presidency and provides strategic oversight and guidance to the PMO
- Acts as a liaison between the PMO/PSC and the MDAs
- Provides monthly progress reports to the Presidency via the implementing agencies
- Resolves any inter-agency conflicts
- Approve project milestones
- Approve project budget
- Attends to and resolve all escalations
Meeting Cadence and Periodic Updates
- The PMO will provide monthly updates to the Steerco
- The PMO will share 3-month deliverables to the Steerco on a quarterly basis
- The Steerco will meet quarterly at the Project Secretariat
Decision Making Process & Next Steps
- The Steerco will approve key decisions and milestones during the quarterly Steerco meetings.
- KPMG as the Project Managers will develop and propose a Steerco Charter