NPA inks deal with Guangzhou Port Authority

Sep 21, 2018: The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Guangzhou Port Authority to improve the efficiency of port operations in the African country.

The joint promotion of effective logistics through information sharing forms part of the agreement signed during the ongoing African Regional Conference of the International Association of Ports and Harbours in Abuja, Nigeria. The MoU with African ports is a significant approach for Guangzhou Port to implement the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative and promote international exchanges and cooperation. In the future, Guangzhou Port will actively explore practical cooperation in many fields such as economic, trade, talent exchanges and training with African ports.

Hadiza Bala Usman, MD, NPA said that the agreement will run for a period of two years and thereafter is renewable on a yearly basis.

Yuan Yue, deputy director general of Guangzhou Port Authority, said that the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has portrayed a grand blueprint for the future development of China and Africa. In 2017, China imported $75.26 billion from Africa, increased 32.8 percent year-on-year. China has become Africa’s largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. Guangzhou Port has now developed into a hub port for African routes in South China, creating a number of “most” for the businesses with Africa: the most intensive routes, the most frequent shifts, and the most varieties of goods. Nowadays, on this maritime channel between Guangzhou and African countries, the cooperation is flourishing.