Nigeria Unveils Seven Strategies to Transform Cargo Logistics, Drive Export Growth
Nigeria has outlined seven strategic actions to transform its cargo logistics ecosystem and position the country as West Africa’s leading air cargo hub, as rising demand from e-commerce, agricultural exports and regional trade places increasing pressure on airport infrastructure.
Presenting a paper titled Cargo Logistics Facilitation in Nigeria Airport Response to Increasing Demand at the 2026 Airport Business Summit, Lekan Thomas, Director Cargo Services, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the country stands at a critical point where investment, technology and collaboration must converge to unlock the sector’s enormous potential.
Thomas said Nigeria already serves as West Africa’s premier air cargo gateway, but sustained growth depends on bold reforms across infrastructure, operations and digital systems.
“Air cargo is a critical enabler of Nigeria’s economic diversification and global integration. It drives international trade, supports non-oil exports, stimulates industrial growth and strengthens regional connectivity,” he said.
He explained that demand continues to surge because of the rapid expansion of e-commerce, increased agricultural exports, pharmaceutical shipments and opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Cargo logistics
Thomas noted that Nigeria’s airports are experiencing a steady increase in import volumes alongside growing exports of perishables and express cargo. However, he warned that ageing infrastructure and fragmented processes threaten the country’s competitiveness.
According to him, limited cargo terminal capacity, inadequate cold-chain storage, insufficient freighter parking stands and lengthy cargo clearance procedures remain major constraints.
“As demand surges, Nigerian airports must evolve. Our response hinges on three pillars: infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency and digital innovation,” Thomas stated.
He added that poor road connectivity, multiple agency inspections and non-harmonised ICT systems continue to slow cargo movement across the country’s airports.
To address these challenges, FAAN is driving infrastructure expansion by enlarging cargo terminals, modernising warehouses and encouraging temperature-controlled storage facilities through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Thomas also disclosed that dedicated export processing centres are being promoted near airport zones through ground handling companies, while additional aircraft parking stands will support more dedicated freighter operations.
Another major pillar focuses on digital transformation to simplify cargo movement and improve transparency.
“Digitalisation is at the heart of our efficiency strategy,” Thomas said.
He explained that FAAN is advancing Cargo Community Systems, Electronic Air Waybills (e-AWB), automated customs processing, real-time cargo tracking, digital payment platforms and Artificial Intelligence to forecast demand and allocate resources more efficiently.
Meanwhile, operational excellence remains another priority. Thomas said FAAN is promoting 24-hour cargo operations, simplified documentation, risk-based inspections and faster cargo release procedures backed by clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Performance monitoring through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and continuous personnel training will also strengthen service delivery across airport cargo facilities.
Thomas stressed that no single agency can deliver an efficient cargo ecosystem alone.
“Our goal is a unified, single-window ecosystem for cargo processing,” he said.
He explained that FAAN is strengthening collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, security agencies, quarantine authorities, export promotion bodies and state governments.
Beyond operational improvements, Thomas said Nigeria has enormous export opportunities waiting to be unlocked.
He noted that dedicated cargo corridors for fresh agricultural exports, value-added processing near airports, expanded cold-chain networks and improved airport-road-rail connectivity would significantly improve export competitiveness.
He also encouraged stronger support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by simplifying export cargo logistics and reducing barriers to international markets.
Public-Private Partnerships, according to Thomas, will play a central role in financing new cargo terminals, warehouse expansion, ICT infrastructure, logistics parks and modern cargo handling equipment.
To consolidate these efforts, he proposed seven strategic recommendations. These include developing a National Air Cargo Master Plan, modernising cargo infrastructure, fully digitising cargo processes through a National Single Window, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enhancing cargo security, encouraging private investment and positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s leading air cargo hub.
Thomas concluded that sustained investment and coordinated reforms would reduce trade costs, improve airport efficiency and attract greater foreign investment.
“By transforming cargo logistics, we will reduce trade costs and enhance efficiency, boost export competitiveness, attract foreign investment, create jobs and drive national economic diversification,” he said.
