The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has urged stakeholders in the air transport sector to address the challenges hindering the growth of air cargo operations in the country. CRFFN identified multiple regulatory interfaces, delays in cargo clearance, inadequate infrastructure, high logistics costs, and poor coordination among stakeholders as key issues. The council's Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kingsley Igwe, emphasized that resolving these challenges would enable Nigeria to harness the significant economic opportunities offered by the air cargo sector.
According to Dr Igwe, the growth of e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, agricultural exports, high-value manufactured goods, and other time-sensitive commodities provides an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its role in regional and global supply chains. He stressed that achieving this would require stronger collaboration among players across the air cargo value chain. The CRFFN boss noted that this collaboration would enable Nigeria to leverage air cargo to support local businesses, including farmers, manufacturers, exporters, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), seeking access to international markets.
Dr Igwe highlighted that an efficient air cargo system can help Nigerian products reach markets faster and reduce costs. He emphasized that the CRFFN is committed to promoting professionalism, competence, ethical standards, continuous capacity development, and the effective deployment of technology within the freight forwarding profession. The council aims to ensure that freight forwarders are technology-enabled logistics professionals, trusted supply-chain partners, and facilitators of seamless international trade.
The CRFFN is promoting digital transformation in the freight forwarding sector to reduce manual processes, eliminate unnecessary delays, improve information sharing, and enhance end-to-end visibility of cargo. Initiatives such as the National Single Window and the CRFFN Logroom4.1 initiative for freight services pricing mechanisms are expected to improve transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business. However, Dr Igwe noted that these initiatives require effective implementation, integration, and support from all stakeholders.
Dr Igwe emphasized that addressing the challenges facing the air cargo sector requires a whole-of-industry approach anchored on collaboration, accountability, and shared responsibility. He noted that the future of air cargo must be firmly connected to Nigeria's economic diversification agenda. The CRFFN aims to ensure that the air cargo sector contributes to Nigeria's economic growth and development.
The CRFFN's call for action is timely, given the significant economic opportunities offered by the air cargo sector. Nigeria can benefit from the growth of air cargo operations, but this requires a coordinated effort from all stakeholders. The council's efforts to promote professionalism, competence, and technology adoption in the freight forwarding sector are expected to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigeria's air cargo industry.
The air cargo sector has the potential to support Nigeria's economic diversification agenda by facilitating the export of non-oil products. An efficient air cargo system can help Nigerian businesses access international markets, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The CRFFN's advocacy for a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges facing the air cargo sector is expected to yield positive results.
Key points
- CRFFN urges stakeholders to tackle air cargo challenges
- Nigeria can benefit from growth of air cargo operations
- Collaboration and digital transformation are key to efficient air cargo system
