Nigeria's air cargo tariff increase may jeopardize Lagos' logistics role, adding costs to an already strained system, warns Air Cargo Week.
Nigeria's recent increase in air cargo tariffs could weaken Lagos' role as a regional logistics gateway by adding costs to an already congested system, reports London's Air Cargo Week.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria raised cargo-related fees, drawing attention to long-standing bottlenecks at Lagos airport. Ageing terminals, limited cold-chain capacity, and manual clearance processes have kept dwell times high and efficiency low.
Industry observers warn that higher tariffs without visible service improvements compound inefficiencies. Shippers and airlines may divert volumes to alternative hubs such as Accra, Lomé, and Addis Ababa, which have invested in cargo infrastructure and digitized customs.
Lagos handles a broad mix of time-sensitive goods including pharmaceuticals, perishables, and oil-and-gas spares, but infrastructure gaps limit performance. Cold-chain shortages hinder agricultural exports, while congestion and demurrage costs mount.
Critics argue that tariff revenue must be reinvested transparently into cargo-specific upgrades. Without measurable improvements, higher charges risk eroding competitiveness and accelerating the diversion of traffic to rival gateways.
Nigeria has ambitions to position Lagos as a regional hub, but abrupt tariff hikes undermine confidence among airlines and forwarders. Reputational effects accumulate quietly, with networks thinning as volumes migrate to more predictable airports.
Analysts note that sustainable growth requires infrastructure alignment, digital clearance, and industry engagement. Pricing must reflect performance, not inefficiency. The tariff debate highlights whether Nigeria will prioritize short-term fiscal returns or long-term logistics competitiveness.
