A research think tank has called for an overhaul of Nigeria’s air cargo governance framework, warning that current practices threaten the country’s ability to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and diversify its economy.
The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC) issued the recommendation in a policy brief following a recent public dispute over tariff increases between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and freight forwarders. The brief argues that the incident underscores systemic fragilities in air cargo policy that must be addressed urgently.
According to SEREC’s Head of Research, Dr. Eugene Nweke, air cargo is a decisive enabler for high-value, time-sensitive intra-African trade under AfCFTA, critical for non-oil exports such as agro-produce, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods. He stated that success in the continental market will depend on minimising logistics costs and ensuring predictable, secure supply chains—areas where Nigeria’s current system is faltering.
The policy brief identifies “fragmented governance, inconsistent policy implementation, and weak linkage between tariffs and service performance” as major deficiencies. Without reform, Nigeria risks becoming a high-cost, low-efficiency cargo hub, undermining export diversification and trade expansion goals.
SEREC recommends elevating air cargo to a national trade priority, formally recognising it as strategic trade infrastructure. Key proposals include establishing a permanent National Air Cargo Economic and Trade Facilitation Committee, mandated to conduct economic impact assessments before any tariff adjustments. The committee should incorporate FAAN, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Customs, airlines, freight forwarders, and exporters.
Further, the centre urges the government to fully operationalise a Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime as a trusted supply chain model and to tie any tariff increases directly to performance benchmarks, infrastructure upgrades, and efficiency gains. Differentiated, phased tariffs for export-oriented and AfCFTA-priority goods are also advised.
Accelerating digitalisation through a National Air Cargo Community System—integrating all key stakeholders—is cited as essential for modernising operations.
Dr. Nweke emphasised that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development must lead holistic reform to restore stakeholder confidence and align aviation policy with national trade and AfCFTA objectives. The decisions taken now, he noted, will determine whether Nigeria emerges as a leading air cargo hub or cedes that advantage to competitors.
SEREC has offered to provide further technical support to advance these reforms, positioning air cargo not as a subsidiary aviation function, but as a core driver of trade competitiveness and economic growth in the AfCFTA era.
