Nigeria has a unique opportunity to electrify its containerised trade at scale – leapfrogging fossil-powered infrastructure and aligning with the global shift toward low-emission logistics. This is the central message of a new white paper by terminal operator APM Terminals and international systems change consultancy Systemiq presented at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit in Abuja.
The benefits of electrification are substantial: the transition can mobilise up to $830 million in investments by 2030, create higher-skilled local jobs, save 390 ktCO2e in greenhouse gas, reduce air pollution and improve public health, and strengthen power supply reliability.
Across the globe, ports and freight corridors are undergoing major electrification. More than 40 ports – from Jordan to Brazil and India - are rolling out electric container-handling equipment, investing in low-emission power infrastructure, and digitising logistics operations. On land, electric trucking corridors are gaining momentum in high-traffic regions, with successful pilots in Kenya, China and India demonstrating that freight electrification is now feasible and scalable in emerging markets. (....)