Nigeria has secured global recognition as Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port emerged among the world’s 20 most improved container ports over the past five years, according to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) released by the World Bank.
The report, produced in collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, ranked Tin Can Island Port 10th and Apapa Port 12th among ports that recorded the most significant operational improvements between 2020 and 2025.
The achievement comes amid sustained efforts by the Nigerian Ports Authority to improve port operations and support the country’s growing trade performance. Nigeria has recorded consecutive trade surpluses since 2024, including a ₦7.54 trillion surplus in the first quarter of 2026, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The CPPI evaluates ports worldwide using indicators such as vessel turnaround time, cargo handling efficiency and overall operational performance.
According to the report, Tin Can Island Port improved its score by 42 points, moving from -68 in 2020 to -26 in 2025. Apapa Port also posted strong gains, improving by 35 points from -61 to -26 during the same period.
The rankings place Nigeria among countries that have achieved notable progress in port efficiency, faster vessel processing and improved cargo movement.
Both ports outperformed several major international facilities, including Marseille Port in France, Iskenderun Port in Türkiye and Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India, all of which featured lower on the improvement index.
The latest rankings highlight the growing competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector and the impact of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening port operations and supporting international trade.