The African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA is one of the flagship projects of the African Union Agenda 2063, aimed at creating a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments and one currency.
Air transportation is pivotal in the full and successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
The agreement will not only facilitate the movement of goods and services and also boost tourism in the movement of people.
Nigeria being a dominant market in the Western and Central Africa and as a major market in the continent, Nigerian airlines have the privilege of exploiting the excellent opportunities and potential of this Agreement if they give more thoughts to cargo business.
Aware of the potential in the AfCFTA as key for a robust air transportation system, the Ministry of Aviation came up with an aviation roadmap, which include among others the development of seven cargo terminals for agro-allied and perishable items,designation of Airports as free trade economic processing zones.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika at the maiden Implementation Engagement Series for aviation Industry by the National Action Committee on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in March this year, drew the committee’s attention to outstanding issue concerning implementation of Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the proposed African Union Passport among others.
“The whole essence of civil aviation is to facilitate fast and create efficiency in journeys as we advocate for the strengthening of AFCAC (African Civil Aviation Commission) to harmonise civil aviation regulations for aviation service providers in order to actualize the Yamoussoukro Decision and SAATM. We also advocate for special support for aviation industry specifically, to fast track systems upgrade in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu in a view to matching international best standards”.
The Director for Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Funke Adeyemi, says aviation is an accelerator and the only sector that can navigate borders quickly with speed and safely.
She emphasized that connectivity, open borders and use of technology would help to build a sustainable system for trades, goods and services and also drive some of the issues around movement of cargo.
“Without connectivity, it is going to be difficult for us to realise the benefits of any framework agreement whether it is the SAATM, whether it is AfCFTA. Connectivity is essential in terms of the ability to connect people and goods by different means and the airlines are going to support us to do that in accelerating the growth and the implementation of AfCFTA”.
The IATA’s Africa Director stated that, regulations and the policies government put in place should enable the players and private sector to do what they need to do to enhance both air transport and trade.
Saddled with the responsibility of creating an enabling environment for greater private sector participation for a competitive industry market place, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says, it plans to review the current regulatory regime with a view to establishing and adopting smart policies and regulations.
Captain Musa Nuhu Director General NCAA says, special emphasis would be on Economic Regulations.
“To support and promote effective participation of Nigerian airlines in the SAATM, towards achieving the objectives of the AFCFTA”.
A Nigerian cargo operator, Captain Val Tongo listed some of the challenges operators face in operating to other African countries to include high taxes, adding that Nigerian airlines must cooperate rather than compete.
“For some reasons you are being frustrated by not getting clearances on time or excessive charges”.
On its part, Director Business Development in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi says, investment in airport infrastructure was ongoing to encourage investors in cargo operations.
“Investment opportunities in airports are inexhaustible making the airports are major attraction to stakeholders such as airlines, concessionaires and other investors”.
With the projected 3.4 trillion dollars Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) rated Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Initiative, the industry is optimistic that an organised trade among African nations can change the economic narratives of the estimated 1.3 million population of African nations.
FRCN