Nigeria to Raise Air Cargo Tariffs for First Time in Two Decades
LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will implement new air cargo tariffs starting February 2, 2026, marking the first increase in nearly 20 years. The move comes after a period of internal restructuring aimed at curbing revenue losses and improving operational efficiency, officials say.
The decision, approved in 2025, was deliberately delayed to ensure the authority could address longstanding issues of revenue leakage before seeking to increase charges. According to an internal FAAN report, raising tariffs without first fixing operational gaps would have yielded minimal financial gains.
“For almost two decades, our cargo tariffs have remained stagnant while the cost of maintaining critical infrastructure has risen dramatically,” explained a senior FAAN official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to internal policy. “We are responsible for runways, aprons, terminals, security – everything that supports cargo operations. This adjustment is essential to ensure we can continue to provide safe and reliable services.”
The new tariff structure will see port charges increase from 7 Naira to 20 Naira per kilogram, and air cargo handling fees rise from 5 Naira to 15 Naira per kilogram. Charges for transhipment, courier services, and perishable goods will double, moving from 20 Naira to 40 Naira per kilogram. These rates apply to both import and export cargo, as well as cargo vehicle surcharges. Passenger tariffs remain unaffected.
The adjustment reflects the significant devaluation of the Naira and the fact that other players in the aviation logistics chain – including customs authorities, ground handling firms, and clearing agents – have increased their charges multiple times since 2006.
FAAN consulted with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other industry stakeholders before finalizing the new rates. The agency emphasized that the focus is on strengthening revenue assurance, rather than simply increasing cargo volume.
Recent reforms implemented by FAAN’s Cargo Development and Services Directorate have already shown positive results. These include redeploying staff to cargo warehouses and tightening monitoring of unaccompanied baggage. Operational data from NAHCO and SAHCO, the companies that operate cargo terminals, indicate that revenue collections improved in 2025 despite a decrease in overall cargo throughput compared to the previous year. This suggests that improved controls, rather than increased traffic, are driving the positive trend.
“This confirms our strategy,” the FAAN official stated. “Better controls are more effective than simply raising prices. We needed to stabilize the system first.”
The move is expected to have a moderate impact on the cost of goods transported by air in and out of Nigeria, a key trade hub in West Africa. Nigeria’s total trade in 2023 reached $48.7 billion, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, with air cargo playing a crucial role in the export of perishable goods and high-value items. The tariff increase is likely to generate additional revenue for FAAN, allowing for continued investment in airport infrastructure and improved service delivery.
[Instagram Post – Image of a busy cargo terminal in Lagos, Nigeria. Caption: “Air cargo operations are vital to Nigeria’s economy. New tariffs aim to ensure sustainable investment in airport infrastructure. #Nigeria #AirCargo #Aviation #Trade”]
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0zXyQ9rTq/
