Nigeria loses $6bn annually to foreign freight forwarders – CRFFN

Nigeria loses not less than $6 billion every year to foreign-owned freight forwarding companies, prompting the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to push for a new cabotage-style policy that will restrict freight forwarding licenses strictly to Nigerian citizens.

The Registrar and CEO of CRFFN, Mr. Kingsley Igwe, disclosed this during a panel session at the DCDS Operational Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services (DCDS) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Lagos.

Igwe explained that the proposed policy would mandate proof of Nigerian citizenship before any applicant can be registered as a freight forwarder, stating:

“You cannot be a forwarder in Nigeria without being a Nigerian citizen. You must prove you are a Nigerian citizen before you can be issued a licence.”

READ: Aviacargo: CRFFN Calls for Stronger Regulatory Synergy and Full Digital Integration to Transform Nigeria’s Air Cargo Value Chain

He added that Nigerian operators continue to face severe financial constraints because freight forwarding is capital-intensive, noting that a brand-new truck costs as high as $250 million, making adequate funding crucial for local practitioners.

The CRFFN boss also highlighted existing gaps between Nigeria’s seaports and airports, pointing to the absence of unified oversight for documentation. He emphasized the need for improved training and knowledge enhancement within the sector.

According to him, CRFFN is already partnering with FAAN to expand capacity-building programmes for freight forwarders, stressing that a well-trained workforce is essential for a functional air cargo ecosystem.

Igwe further called for deeper cooperation among key airport agencies—Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), FAAN and others—to enhance cargo processing timelines.
He noted that a world-class cargo value chain relies heavily on regulatory coherence and inter-agency teamwork.

“A world-class cargo ecosystem is built on a world-class people system,” he said, urging the creation of joint task force teams to reduce delays and improve compliance across the air cargo chain.

The engagement, themed “Building a World Class Air Cargo System,” brought together stakeholders seeking reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s cargo handling efficiency, regulatory environment, and competitiveness.

Source: Atqnews