THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its recently released data revealed how air cargo facilitates the transportation of goods worth over $8 trillion annually, accounting for about 33 per cent of global trade by volume.
With the critical role of aviation in global commerce, coupled with Nigeria’s immense potential in manpower, resources, and capacity, the national Single Window stakeholders forum held in Lagos has been described as pivotal to helping Nigeria capture a larger share of this global trade.
Speaking at the forum, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, who emphasised the critical role of aviation in global commerce, identified this as the vision that inspired the minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo to establish the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services.
According to Kuku, the establishment of the cargo directorate amongst others focused on enhancing air cargo trade volumes, particularly exports, through route development, including partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Russia, and fostering agro-export collaborations with private and state governments.
The FAAN MD revealed the efforts made at streamlining operations by eliminating bottlenecks at the airports, creating a supportive and efficient environment for all stakeholders, ensuring the safety, security, and compliance of stakeholders and cargo across all airports.
These initiatives, she said have reaffirmed “the ministry of aviation and FAAN’s unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria into a global trade and aviation excellence hub. They underscore the Aviation Ministry’s and FAAN’s dedication to evolving our airports into dynamic centres for exports and trade, aligning with the President’s ambitious goal of growing the economy to $1 trillion.
“FAAN has made remarkable progress in trade facilitation through key initiatives, including: Implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for stakeholders like ground handlers, airlines, customs brokers, and government agencies to standardize operations. Engaging and registering all stakeholders operating at the airports to ensure security, safety, and compliance with international standards. Actively participating in broader initiatives like the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Trade Facilitation Act of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and now the National Single Window, which are aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and improving the ease of doing business.”
On why the Single Window initiative is critical at this moment in the country’s economic growth, Kuku said the forum served as an innovative digital platform that seamlessly integrates government agencies, private stakeholders, and financial institutions.
Her words: “This collaboration streamlines trade processes and eliminates the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long hindered progress. The benefits of embracing this initiative include: efficiency, streamlining trade processes at our cargo terminals will become faster and more efficient, allowing stakeholders to operate without unnecessary delays, while transparency witReal-time updates and tracking will foster trust and accountability among all participants in the trade ecosystem.
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The forum touched on cost savings through reductions in delays, preventing revenue leakages, and significantly lowering storage fees and operational costs.
The FAAN MD used the forum to emphasize how improved alignment with international regulations will “boost Nigeria’s adherence to globally standards and enhance our standing in global trade, strengthened global relationships, adhering to international standards, we will elevate Nigeria’s position in the global market, fostering stronger relationships with our international trade partners.”
While acknowledging that challenges still exist in the sector, Kuku remarked: “The current fragmentation among agencies and reluctance to collaborate can impede progress. When individual interests take precedence over collective goals, it creates barriers.Allow me to say that no agency or stakeholder can succeed alone. It is through teamwork that we ensure sustainable progress. It is through collaboration that we unlock our true potential.
