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The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has urged the Federal Government to establish a National Port Pricing and Trade Cost Review Framework, warning that the implementation of the Green Tax Policy must not erode Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, investor confidence or ambition to remain West Africa’s leading maritime gateway.
In its June 2026 End-of-Month Policy Bulletin, the maritime policy think tank said while it supports the government’s environmental sustainability agenda, every new tax, levy or surcharge affecting international trade should undergo an independent economic impact assessment before implementation to determine its cumulative effect on businesses, consumers and the wider economy.
SEREC’s Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, said port pricing and fiscal decisions should be driven by sound economic regulation rather than short-term revenue considerations.
According to the organisation, Nigeria’s port ecosystem is already burdened by multiple statutory charges, regulatory levies, terminal fees and logistics costs, which continue to inflate cargo landing costs and weaken the country’s competitiveness. It warned that introducing additional fiscal measures without evaluating their combined impact could increase inflationary pressure, raise manufacturing costs, discourage investment and divert cargo to rival ports across West and Central Africa.
To address this, SEREC proposed a National Port Pricing and Trade Cost Review Framework that would require every proposed port-related tax, tariff adjustment or environmental charge to undergo an independent economic evaluation before approval. The assessment, it said, should examine existing port charges, cargo clearance costs, inflation, exchange rate volatility, industrial competitiveness, regional port competition, Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ease of doing business targets, food security and consumer prices.
Beyond the pricing framework, SEREC examined the broader implications of the Federal Government’s Green Tax Policy, noting that environmental taxation is globally recognised as a tool for reducing carbon emissions and encouraging cleaner production. It, however, stressed that successful green tax regimes are typically accompanied by incentives such as tariff concessions, tax rebates and customs support for environmentally friendly technologies, rather than functioning primarily as revenue-raising measures.
The organisation also cautioned against applying the Green Tax to cargoes already in transit, arguing that retrospective implementation would alter the economics of concluded commercial contracts, create avoidable disputes and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s trade policy environment.
It noted that international trade transactions are often concluded months before cargoes arrive at Nigerian ports, making policy certainty essential for commercial planning and investment decisions.
SEREC therefore recommended a phased implementation of the Green Tax Policy, backed by extensive stakeholder consultation, clear operational guidelines, prospective application and incentives that encourage investment in renewable energy, electric mobility and environmentally sustainable manufacturing.
According to the think tank, a transparent port pricing framework, combined with predictable fiscal policies, would lower the cost of doing business, attract higher cargo volumes, stimulate industrial growth, boost government revenue through increased trade and strengthen Nigeria’s position as Africa’s preferred maritime and logistics hub.
