By Mukhtar Dambatta/Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, says Africa is losing billions of dollars annually due to poor connectivity and inefficient logistics systems across the continent.
Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the National President of the institute, disclosed this at the 2026 CILT Annual Lecture Series in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyeyemi noted that inadequate roads, underdeveloped rail networks, congested ports, and limited innovation infrastructure continue to hinder trade, investment, and economic growth across Africa.
He, therefore, called for stronger collaboration among African stakeholders to improve connectivity across the continent and unlock greater trade opportunities.
According to him, Africa’s vast economic potential continues to be undermined by poor transport and logistics infrastructure, inefficient movement of goods and people, and fragmented connectivity systems across the continent.
Oyeyemi reiterated that Africa has the resources, population, land, minerals, agricultural potential, demographic mood, and entrepreneurial energy, but connectivity is the challenge.
“The roads that should connect farmers to markets are inadequate, the railways that should carry both cargoes across national borders are underbuilt, or non-existent.
“The ports that should serve as a gateway to continuity are too expensive and too congested, while the innovation network that should make African cities accessible to each other are too limited and too costly.
“The logistics system that should bind all of these together is a coherent, efficient, competitive, bold, fragmented, underdeveloped, and insufficient, native-rated,” he explained.
He said that this connectivity deficit is costing Africa, every year, billions of dollars in lost trade, investment, productivity, and human potential.
Delivering a lecture, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said no continent could truly integrate economically while remaining disconnected physically.
Represented by Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Keyamo noted that in the 21st century, aviation is an economic infrastructure for a continent as vast and diverse as Africa.
Keyamo explained that aviation is critical because geography often limits roads and rail integration, especially in Africa.
The minister stressed that African countries must prioritise integrated transport infrastructure, policy harmonisation and strategic partnerships to address barriers limiting connectivity.
“When connectivity improves, investment flows. When investment grows, jobs are created, poverty declines, and prosperity expands.
“Let us, therefore, commit ourselves to transforming the single African Air Transport market into tangible realities, more routes, more affordable tickets, modern fleets, efficient airports, greater trade, and millions of jobs for Africans.
“Let us make the Africa sky a true space of opportunity, open, safe, connected, sustainable, and prosperous for us all,” he said
Keyamo noted that the effort could not succeed in isolation.
He said Africa must work collectively to harmonise legal standards and judicial efficiency if it truly intends to create a competitive, continental aviation market capable of attracting global capital at scale.
On his part, Prof Umar Katsayal, Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Transportation, Daura, said research, innovation and manpower development are essential to advancing Africa’s transportation sector.
He urged governments and institutions to invest in technology driven transport solutions and capacity building for sustainable development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the anual lecture was awards given to some distinguished guests for their numerous contributions to the institute. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
