Nigeria: Edun Pushes National Single Window to Drive Economic Stability

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has underscored the transformative potential of the National Single Window (NSW) project, describing it as a critical reform to enhance trade facilitation and reinforce economic stability.

Speaking after the 63rd quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Board, Edun highlighted that the initiative—championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration—will unify all trade-related agencies on a single digital platform. The platform is designed to streamline clearance processes, reduce bureaucracy, and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade.

Scheduled for rollout in the first quarter of 2026, the NSW will integrate digital automation to improve efficiency across import and export operations. “The National Single Window is a legacy project of President Tinubu. It will revolutionise trade by reducing bottlenecks, cutting costs, and speeding up cargo clearance. This combination of digital automation and efficiency will significantly boost our economy,” Edun said.

The Minister noted that the NCS has already deployed World Customs Organization-accredited officers to draft business process requirements and support vendor selection, with additional technical backing from the Trade Modernisation Project Limited.

Edun further explained that the reform will complement ongoing fiscal policies aimed at stabilising inflation, improving exchange rates, and strengthening Nigeria’s trade balance and reserves.

Between January and June 2025, the NCS collected ₦3.6 trillion in revenue—exceeding its target by 11.85% and marking a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2024. “This performance demonstrates that reforms and technology can significantly enhance revenue mobilisation,” he added.

Edun stressed that the initiative’s impact extends across all tiers of government, as NCS revenue feeds directly into the Federation Account. “With the Single Window initiative fully operational, we expect even greater efficiency and stronger returns,” he concluded.