In a bid to boost Nigeria’s position in the African logistics sector, the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport (AICPA) has unveiled an ambitious master plan. The state government-owned airport is targeting to make Nigeria a cargo export hub in Africa.
The master plan involves engaging cargo consolidators both locally and internationally. A total of 12 companies have already submitted applications for the construction of cargo warehouses, Fixed Base Operation (FBO), Maintenance And Repairs Operation (MRO), aircraft fuel dump, among others.
This move comes at a time when other African countries are also making significant strides in improving their cargo and logistics capabilities. Kenya’s logistics sector, heavily reliant on road and railway networks, is estimated to hit $5 billion (Sh500 billion) by 2023. The country boasts a modern deep sea port at Mombasa capable of handling bulk and other containerized cargo.
Ethiopia, another key player in the region, uses Djibouti port as its main gateway for international trade. The Ethiopian transport sector is heavily dominated by the public sector with road infrastructure development, railway sector, maritime, and logistics as well as aviation sectors heavily monopolized by the government.
The country plans to invest approximately $58 billion in the transport sector in the next ten years and has identified about 44 projects that will be open for private-sector investment.
While Nigeria’s Anambra cargo masterplan is indeed promising, it’s important to note that both Kenya and Ethiopia also have significant infrastructure and plans in place for their logistics sectors.
Hence why it might be too early to definitively state that Nigeria is ahead of Kenya and Ethiopia based on the Anambra cargo masterplan alone. It would be more accurate to say that all three countries are making significant strides in improving their cargo and logistics capabilities.