Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in maritime operations as the World Bank ranked the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa) and Tin Can Island Port among the world’s top 20 most improved container ports over the past five years.
According to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), jointly compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, Tin Can Island Port ranked 10th globally, while Apapa Port placed 12th among ports that achieved the highest performance improvements between 2020 and 2025.
The report highlighted significant gains in vessel turnaround time, cargo handling efficiency, and overall port operations. Tin Can Island Port improved its CPPI score by 42 points, while Apapa Port recorded a 35-point increase during the review period.
The achievement comes amid Nigeria’s sustained trade surplus, with the National Bureau of Statistics recently reporting a trade surplus of ₦7.54 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.
The ranking places Nigeria ahead of several notable international ports, including France’s Marseille Port, Türkiye’s Iskenderun Port, and India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, underscoring ongoing efforts to modernize the country’s maritime infrastructure and enhance trade competitiveness.
The World Bank noted that the CPPI serves as a global benchmark for measuring port efficiency, focusing on vessel time in port and operational performance.
