BUA Unveils $85m Port Expansion, Targets Two Million-Tonne Imports

BUA Group has unveiled an $85 million expansion of its BUA Ports and Terminals facility in Port Harcourt as part of plans to support the import of more than two million tonnes of raw materials annually and strengthen its growing food processing business.

Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, disclosed this on Thursday during a visit to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.

Rabiu said the visit was to appreciate the NPA for its continued support and brief its management on the progress of the terminal expansion, which he described as a critical component of BUA Foods’ long-term growth strategy.

“We’re here to thank the Managing Director and his team for the support we’re receiving and to update the management on the progress of the expansion of our BUA Ports and Terminals in Port Harcourt,” he said.

According to him, the project has made significant progress and will provide the logistics infrastructure needed to support the company’s expanding food processing operations.

Rabiu said that when the ongoing expansion of BUA Foods is completed next year, the company expects to import more than two million tonnes of raw materials annually through the Port Harcourt terminal.

“By the time we complete the expansion next year, we will be importing over two million tonnes of raw materials through Port Harcourt, and for that we need a modern terminal and world-class facilities,” he said.

He said the terminal expansion, valued at about $85 million, would add approximately 600 metres of quay frontage, significantly boosting the company’s cargo-handling capacity.

According to Rabiu, the investment will strengthen BUA’s logistics network across its food, cement, mining, infrastructure and other industrial businesses, while supporting the company’s long-term expansion plans.

He also stressed the need for sustained investment in Nigeria’s port infrastructure, noting that despite having Africa’s largest economy, the country still faces significant gaps in maritime infrastructure.

The BUA chairman commended the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority for its professionalism and support and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing the current management of the agency.

Rabiu recalled that the Port Harcourt terminal had previously faced the threat of losing its acquisition rights but said the intervention and support of the current NPA management had enabled the project to move forward successfully.

“I remember that at one point the terminal acquisition was revoked, but today we’re receiving all the support we need from the management,” he added.

Responding, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the investment as a major boost to trade, cargo movement and the development of Nigeria’s eastern ports.

He said the Authority expects the project to drive double-digit growth in cargo throughput and revenue while enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

Dantsoho reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with private investors to improve port efficiency and unlock greater economic value.

“BUA is a major stakeholder, and this investment reflects the kind of partnership we seek to encourage. We will continue to work with both large and small investors, particularly in expanding activities at the eastern ports,” he said.

He noted that BUA’s continued investments in Lagos and Port Harcourt would help decongest existing port operations, decentralise cargo traffic, stimulate import and export activities, and increase government revenue.

“Our cargo volumes will increase. Whether through imports or exports, we will handle more cargo, create greater value and generate more revenue in both naira and foreign exchange. That is the expectation of government,” Dantsoho said.

He disclosed that the Authority projects cargo traffic growth of between 13 and 14 per cent as a result of the investment.

“In the global port industry, a growth rate of about 16 per cent is considered exceptional. If we achieve between 13 and 14 per cent through this investment, it will be a remarkable outcome,” he added.

Dantsoho also highlighted the recent international recognition of Apapa and Tin Can ports among the world’s 20 most improved ports, attributing the achievement to stronger collaboration between the NPA and private sector operators.

He described BUA’s investment as the type of strategic partnership needed to modernise Nigeria’s maritime sector, improve port efficiency and support the country’s industrial and economic growth.

The expansion is expected to significantly increase cargo-handling capacity at BUA’s Port Harcourt terminal, positioning the company to meet rising import demand while contributing to improved trade facilitation, port efficiency and broader industrial development.