By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

For the umpteenth time, attention is being drawn to the fact that for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to achieve the desired goal of trade and economic integration in Africa, political leaders must demonstrate the political will to address the twin setbacks of insufficient transport infrastructure and unprofessional activities of government agencies at ports, numerous road checkpoints and border stations especially along the West African corridor.

Professor of International Economic Relations at Covenant University, Nigeria, Prof. Jonathan Aremu, stated this in Lagos, Monday, while delivering a

paper entitled “Cross-border Trade and Regional Integration”. He was the lead speaker at the 2023 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

The conference which was massively attended by experts in logistics and transportation from Nigeria and beyond featured the theme “Designing the Future of Transportation and Logistics in Africa”.

They were unanimous in identifying dilapidated transport infrastructure and an unfriendly business environment as some of the biggest threats AfCFTA is grappling with. Until these are realistically sorted out, they said, the trade regime remains a pipe dream.

Speaking on challenges posed by activities of government officials at ports and land borders, Prof Ngozi Egbuna, former Director-General, West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), Lagos, observed that it is only when Nigerians are exporting non-perishable items that they quickly overlook and accommodate delays arising from poor transport infrastructure and anti-trade posture of agencies of government as exemplified in bribery and corruption. But what happens to goods on transit if they are time-bound and perishable? She featured on the showcase session which dwelt on Cross-border Trade and Regional Integrity.

In a bid to ensure that cross-border trading is simple and seamless, she strongly advised African governments to prioritize the improvement of transportation infrastructure. Access to finance and trade efficiency in the continent must be at par with what obtains in developed economies.

Port operations in Africa must be without encumbrances.

“I remember going to Cairo for an AFREXIM Bank trade fair. As at the time we were leaving Cairo after the event, some goods hadn’t arrived for them to be displayed at the trade fair. Some of those goods were coming from Ghana, Kenya and Addis- Ababa. They didn’t arrive until the end of the trade fair. This is a challenge we have in Africa,” Prof. Ngozi Egbuna regretted.

In her submission, one of the discussants, Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa was particular about the role of Customs, infrastructure and government policies as challenges Nigeria in particular must address.

Ezenwa, former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Chairman, Le Look Nig Ltd, also pinpointed the absence of integration of supply-chain arrangements in AfCFTA’s considerations.

“Business is war; there are enemies on every side. In this AfCFTA, we don’t even know what the integration is all about when it comes to export trade. From manufacturing to supply-chain, customs operations to transport infrastructure, on every side there are challenges. This explains why we have more informal trade across the borders.”

She warned that AfCFTA cannot achieve the ideals it was conceived to address if these problems persist.

“When we produce our goods and ship to Ghana, we find that sometimes the goods are detained at the Customs shed at Ghana. The goods spend about 6 weeks to be cleared in Ghana, even though it was a shop in Ghana that ordered for these goods, ” Ezenwa gave as example.

She described Customs as an enabler in AfCFTA trade. Documentation processes for shipping to Ghana and some other African countries, she observed, are too cumbersome. There must be a workable and effective Return Policy for African exports and goods to be traded under AfCFTA.

In her goodwill message, former Aviation Minister, Dr Mrs Kema Chikwe congratulated CILT Nigeria for always being at the vanguard of championing worthwhile transportation issues. She regretted that Africa cannot confidently claim that she has made commendable progress with the state of transportation infrastructure. She advised governments to be more effective in designing impactful policies to drive African integration. “We can’t make progress if we can’t effectively connect by air,” for instance. Dr. Anthonia Ekpa, former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties, re-echoed the role of corruption as earlier stated. She observed that corruption remains a major challenge to regional trade and integration especially in the ECOWAS subregion.

“Traders are encouraged to use the land borders and ports, but Customs, Police and other agencies don’t seem to understand that goods are time-bound. Sometimes goods are seized and forgotten at the warehouses of the security agencies.”

“Regional integration means allowing citizens and goods from one country easily access the other nation. Nigeria flouted this for a long period with the border closure and we know that there were huge socio-economic consequences for nations on both sides of the border,” Ekpa said.

In his intervention, Chairman, Ecomarine Group, Mr. Mahmud Tukur, noted that shipping to several African countries remains more expensive than trading with Europe and Asia where trade barriers are non-existent. He questions why African policy makers have refused to learn a lesson from this.

Speaking through Mr Dayo Balogun, Managing Director, Ecomarine, Tukur suggested that AfCFTA should seriously consider developing what he described as short-sea shipping and regional cabotage to retain monetary benefits of AfCFTA trade.

Dwelling on the logistics environment in Nigeria, the Ecomarine boss remarked that moving a container from China to Lagos ports is seamless and cheaper than doing the same from Lagos to Kano.

Tukur called for massive investments in transportation infrastructure. He stressed the need to dredge and activate eastern ports as soon as possible, expand rail services and roads. and Barge operations must also be encouraged.

In her welcome address earlier, President, CILT Nigeria, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro stated that the conference theme was carefully chosen to align with the revitalized push for intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.

“The conference theme and content underscore the crucial role of efficient and sustainable logistics and transport in the attainment of the goals of AfCFTA”, she declared.

“As the world looks to the large market and youthful population in Africa, professional bodies such as ours continue to drive intelligent and incisive conversations intended to produce pragmatic policies and competent implementing organs of government that promotes growth of the private sector in wealth creation so that Nigeria and other African States can evolve into major players in the global economy.”

Declaring the event open, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo (SAN), remarked that efficient movement of goods and people not only fuels economic growth but is intrinsically tied to the nation’s food security initiatives.

“In the realm of aviation and aerospace development, we are presented with opportunities to redefine the landscape of transportation, fostering economic growth and enhancing our commitment to sustainable development goals. The relevance of our discussions here today extends seamlessly to the 8-point agenda set forth by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In our pursuit of a more prosperous future, the transportation and logistics sector plays a pivotal role in translating vision into reality.”

The Aviation Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser, Henry Agbebire, observed that a well-managed logistics and transport system enhances job creation.

“The aerospace and logistics sectors are dynamic engines of employment, providing opportunities that span a spectrum of skills and expertise, contributing significantly to the overarching goals and aspirations of the government of our nation. By harnessing cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships, we can not only optimize logistics but also contribute to a greener and more sustainable future,” he assured.

At the event, the Chairman, 2023 Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku, previewed a 9-chapter entitled “Perspectives on Sustainable Innovations in Global Logistics and Transportation”, a compendium of academic and scholarly presentations by experts and international delegates at the 2022 CILT National Conference.

Transportation gurus such as the CILT International President-elect, Chief Teete Owusu-Nortey, a Ghanaian; CILT International Vice President and Chairman, African Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril; President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) Nigeria, Prince Segun Obayendo and Founder, Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim graced the occasion.

Others included Capt Sunday Umoren, the Secretary-General, Abuja MoU on Port State Control; Founder, ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji; former President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke, among other logistics eggheads.