NAHCO Aviance spearheads ambitious transformation of Nigeria into export powerhouse
In a strategic move to break free from Nigeria’s import-centric trade landscape, currently dominated at 95 per cent, NAHCO Aviance, one of Africa’s leading ground handling companies, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering the nation’s exports.
At a press briefing held in Lagos with aviation correspondents on Friday – January 5, 2024, NAHCO’s Managing Director, Indranil Gupta passionately conveyed, “Nigeria has all it takes to earn more Forex from export,” urging increased awareness among producers, middlemen, and airport operators to unlock hidden riches.
In a bid to facilitate seamless exports, Gupta announced that NAHCO has invested over N1 billion in a state-of-the-art processing facility, setting a new standard for cargo exports and emphasising adherence to international norms.
Gupta stressed the urgency of this shift, stating, “Exporting earns dollars, providing foreign exchange, a more advantageous approach for the nation.”
He said the newly constructed export processing centre adopts an internationally recognised one-stop shop format, aiming to elevate the packaging and sorting of Nigerian products before global exportation.
“The idea is that Nigerian products can be packaged in a one-stop shop, where they will be well sorted, arranged and packaged before being exported.
“Nigeria can be the breadbasket of the continent if the producers and farmers recognise the rich potential in both intercontinental and intra-continental trade. It is much more profitable to export than to import because it comes with foreign exchange,” said Gupta.
This ambitious initiative will be extended beyond Lagos, as the company has plans to replicate processing centres in four other key airports across Abuja, Enugu, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
NAHCO’s Head of Commercial and Business Development, Prince Saheed Lasisi highlighted the company’s efforts towards staff training in London on international packaging and quality control with a view to ensuring global standards are met.
With a special focus on revitalising Kano’s historical agricultural prominence, NAHCO has shown its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s trade landscape.
According to Lasisi, collaboration with the Kano state government signals a united front, aiming to reinvigorate farming communities in the country and homegrown entrepreneurs to drive exportation of agro produce according to internationally prescribed standards.
Lasisi expressed the company’s commitment to encouraging Nigerian exporters and farmers, hoping that improved purchasing power will enhance input volumes and attract more airlines to Nigeria.
Gupta, however, acknowledged challenges, citing naira depreciation affecting operating costs and equipment importation.
Despite these hurdles, he expressed the company’s optimism for 2024, anticipating improved purchasing power and increased entrepreneurship to propel Nigeria’s aviation sector towards new heights.
