Nigerian Aviation Delegation Explores Ghana’s Cargo Facilities in Benchmarking Effort

In a bid to enhance its air cargo operations, a delegation from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Aviacargo team embarked on a fact-finding mission to Kotoka International Airport’s cargo facilities in Accra, Ghana.

The visit, supported by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Ghana Airport Company Ltd (GACL), is part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to benchmark itself in the air cargo industry.

Nigeria currently ranks fifth in Africa in Aviacargo, lagging behind leaders Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Ethiopia, despite being the continent’s largest economy and most populous nation. An alarming number of fully loaded freighters arriving in Nigeria depart empty.

To address this challenge, the Nigerian government established the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, led by Ikechi Uko, to explore ways to revamp the nation’s air cargo sector.

The delegation, led by Mr. Olumyiwa Femi-Pearse, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, was received in Accra by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airport Company Ltd, under the leadership of Rev. Alexander Kwaku Yeboah, GCAA’s Air Cargo Safety Inspector as well the McDan Group exexcutives.

The visiting team included General Managers of Business Development and Cargo Development, Hycienth Ngwu and Kabiru A.N. Mohammed, alongside senior officers from FAAN’s Cargo and Business Development units. Representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), including Mrs. Sanwoolu, and Alex Nwuba from the Aviacargo committee, were also part of the delegation.

The fact-finding mission included visits to key cargo facilities in Accra, such as Aviance Cargo, Ghana’s oldest Special Purpose Cargo Terminal, and the Swissport Terminal, the most modern Cargo Terminal in West Africa. These visits provided valuable insights into cargo operations and logistics.

The delegation also paid a visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Accra, where they were hosted by the High Commissioner, Ibok-Ete Ibas. The High Commissioner emphasized the need to implement the findings and recommendations to elevate Nigeria’s position in the global aviation landscape.

In his remarks, Mr. Olumyiwa Femi-Pearse acknowledged the enormous potential for air cargo in Nigeria and stressed the urgency of taking action. He highlighted the insights gained from high-tech facilities in Addis Ababa, Kenya’s accomplishments, and Ghana’s functional adaptations, all of which will guide their future endeavors.

The visit concluded with a meeting with the Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA), where the delegation discussed potential areas of collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana in agriculture and exports. Mr. Ikechi Uko, Coordinator of the Nigerian Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, emphasized the need for regional cooperation to boost both nations’ economies.

Albert Kassim Diwura, Deputy CEO of GEPA, expressed satisfaction with the NAFDAC representative’s assurance of streamlined processes, addressing previous challenges faced by Ghanaian exporters to Nigeria.

This visit to Ghana marks the third international airport explored by the Aviacargo Committee, following visits to Nairobi, Kenya, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The committee has also conducted assessments at three airports in North Central Nigeria, including Jos, Lafia, and Abuja.

The benchmarking efforts aim to strengthen Nigeria’s air cargo industry and foster collaboration with other nations in the region, ultimately driving economic growth and development.