IMO is supporting the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to develop a Port Community System (PCS) for electronic data exchange  for its ports complex. 

From January to June 2022, IMO will work with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to conduct a detailed needs assessment mission. The assessment team will conduct analysis of the current situation and  put forward recommendations on the governance, business model, technology and identify any gaps to be addressed. This will ensure that Nigerian ports benefit from an effective operational country-wide PCS to enhance the economy of the country.

Port Community Systems are neutral platforms that allow the exchange of electronic information between various stakeholders, have become an increasingly important part of simplifying cross-border trade.

The assessment mission is phase two of a project which began in 2021 with a series of IMO-led webinars (between August and November 2021) which , aimed to raise awareness among Nigerian stakeholders about  key aspects of a PCS. This series identified  the opportunities and challenges for developing a national PCS in Nigeria. More than 60 senior management participants from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Customs Service, Immigration, Health services, Agricultural services, Ministry of transportation, as well as port terminal operators, shipping companies, ship agents, importers and exporters participated. 

As reported by IMO