Nigeria’s air freight logistics sector is experiencing significant expansion, fueled primarily by the rapid rise in e-commerce activity and increasing trade among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to Faisal Jarmakani, Managing Director of Aramex Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nairametrics, Jarmakani said the air freight market in Nigeria is now estimated to be worth more than $8 billion, with major activity centred around Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, and Lagos handling the largest volume share.
Key Growth Drivers According to Jarmakani, the main forces shaping the sector’s growth include:E-commerce expansion: As more Nigerians shop online and businesses sell cross-border, demand for quicker delivery is rising sharply.
SME trade activity: Smaller businesses are increasingly participating in international trade, especially for exports linked to diaspora demand and business-to-business (B2B) supply chains.
“These segments are growing exponentially and tend to favour air freight because of shorter delivery timelines and higher shipment value density,” Jarmakani noted.
Operational Challenges and Solutions Jarmakani highlighted several challenges slowing growth in the sector:Airport cargo processing inefficiencies: Multiple clearance steps, poor technology integration, and overlapping regulatory processes slow turnaround times.
High cost structure: Nigeria remains more expensive than some West African peers due to handling and aviation-related charges.
Fragmented last-mile delivery: Poor address quality and limited tech support increase failed deliveries and cost per shipment.
Jarmakani said improvements in digitisation across agencies, cost rationalisation, and technology-driven address verification would greatly enhance operational efficiency and lower costs.
Busiest Routes and Logistics IntegrationAramex’s top international inbound corridors remain Asia, North America, and Europe, with China seen as a particularly strong source given its role in e-commerce and SME sourcing. Domestically, Lagos acts as a hub feeding Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.
To support these flows, Aramex integrates heavy goods vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and motorbike couriers, enabling efficient movement from airports to logistics hubs and last-mile delivery networks across major cities.
Warehousing and Technology InvestmentsJarmakani pointed out that one of the major bottlenecks in the logistics chain is inadequate warehousing and fulfilment capacities. Aramex is investing in technology-enabled warehouses to improve inventory management and fulfilment speed key for meeting the surge in e-commerce orders.
Notes that Aramex has adopted digital tracking, route optimization, and customer experience platforms to enhance visibility, speed, and reliability throughout the shipment journey.
Outlook Looking ahead, Jarmakani said Nigeria’s logistics and air cargo sector is poised for continued growth, driven by expanding trade, e-commerce, and export potential, especially from sectors such as fashion, food, and agriculture.
He emphasised that global logistics companies like Aramex will play a pivotal role in supporting this evolution by investing in infrastructure, workforce capability, and technology.
“Nigeria is well-positioned to become a more competitive player in international trade with improving logistics capabilities,” he said.
Image Credit: Google
Source: Nairametrics
