High Logistics Costs, Port Delays Threaten Manufacturing Export Growth – Group

High logistics costs, port delays and multiple levies are threatening the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing exports, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) has said.

The group said addressing these challenges, alongside ensuring policy consistency and improving trade facilitation, would be critical to unlocking Nigeria’s potential as a major manufacturing hub and strengthening the country’s position in regional and international markets.

The new chairperson  of MANEG, Ruth Owojaiye, stated this as government and industry stakeholders intensify efforts to diversify non-oil revenue, deepen industrialisation and maximise opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Owojaiye said Nigeria possesses the industrial capacity, entrepreneurial talent and resource base to become one of Africa’s leading manufacturing centres, but stressed that the potential could only be realised through stronger collaboration between government and industry.

According to her, sustained policy consistency, investment in infrastructure, regulatory efficiency and improved trade facilitation are essential to enabling manufacturers to produce competitively and access regional and international markets.

“Nigeria has the talent, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial drive to become one of Africa’s leading manufacturing hubs. Achieving this requires stronger collaboration between government and industry, consistent policies and practical reforms that make trading easier and more competitive,” she said.

She added that the association would intensify engagement with government, policymakers, regulators and development partners to push for reforms that improve market access and reduce the barriers facing locally manufactured goods.

Owojaiye said reducing the cost of doing business would enable manufacturers to expand production, increase exports and contribute more significantly to foreign exchange earnings and economic growth.

“By creating an enabling environment for manufacturers to innovate, produce competitively and access regional and international markets, we can diversify the economy, create quality jobs and drive inclusive growth,” she said.

Industry stakeholders said the concerns were particularly relevant amid ongoing macroeconomic reforms and changing global trade dynamics, noting that the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers remained constrained by elevated logistics costs, port inefficiencies and multiple charges.

MANEG said these challenges increase the cost of moving goods and make Nigerian products less competitive in regional markets, particularly at a time when manufacturers are seeking to take advantage of AfCFTA to expand their export footprint.

The group said it would prioritise advocacy to ease the movement of goods, expand market access and encourage value addition across sectors, including agro-processing, textiles, building materials and consumer goods.

It also stressed the need for stronger coordination among government agencies and industry players to streamline trade processes, reduce regulatory bottlenecks and create a more predictable operating environment for manufacturers.

MANEG reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant government agencies, regulators and development partners to advance reforms that would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base and position locally manufactured products to compete more effectively in African and global markets.