Entrepreneurs John Dale and Lawrence Oyor have launched KwikPort, a new export infrastructure platform aimed at widening access to international trade for African businesses, particularly in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

The initiative is built around a simple idea. Many capable producers across Nigeria have the supply but struggle to reach international markets. Entry into export markets has long depended on personal buyer networks, long-standing industry relationships, and the ability to manage complex logistics.

That barrier has kept many farmers, processors, and commodity aggregators outside the global trade system, even when demand exists abroad.

Breaking barriers to global export markets

KwikPort attempts to change that by structuring export participation around verified international demand. Instead of asking businesses to secure buyers before entering the export market, the platform connects participants to existing buyer contracts while coordinating the technical work required to move goods across borders.

The platform also links users with licensed professionals who handle key parts of the export chain. These include procurement support, documentation, warehousing, logistics coordination and freight execution.

Participants can fulfill export contracts based on their supply capacity. Smaller producers can contribute limited volumes, while larger operators can participate with bulk shipments. The goal is to make international trade accessible to businesses of different sizes.

Dale, an agro consultant with more than 15 years of experience in Nigeria’s export and agricultural value chain, said the platform was shaped by challenges he observed while working within traditional export systems.

He said many businesses with the capacity to produce export quality goods remain locked out because the system often depends on private networks rather than structured access to demand.

A new pathway for African exporters

Oyor, an international gospel minister and entrepreneur who has worked across several countries, joined the project after years of involvement in agricultural and trade initiatives.

Both founders say KwikPort was created to simplify participation in global markets while maintaining professional standards and compliance.

Through the platform, exporters do not have to independently build buyer relationships or manage every stage of the export process. Verified contracts are made available, licensed operators handle execution, and participants maintain visibility over the transaction process.

The founders say the approach could help broaden participation in Nigeria’s non oil export economy at a time when the country is seeking to diversify revenue sources beyond crude oil.

The KwikPort app is currently available on Android devices.