Nigeria Becomes Africa’s Second Largest Domestic Market as Lagos Airport Cargo Volumes Surge 34%

Lagos airport sees record 34.4% cargo growth as FAAN MD Olubunmi Kuku outlines a new strategy for Nigeria’s economic integration through aviation hubs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 3:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Nation

A Shift from Transit Points to Strategic Economic Engines

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is moving to reclassify the nation’s aviation hubs as critical drivers of cross-border trade and regional integration. Speaking at the Airports Council International (ACI) regional conference in Angola, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku argued that modern airports must function as sophisticated assets that stimulate employment and tourism rather than serving as mere arrival halls. According to Kuku, the long-term health of African aviation is inextricably linked to a commitment to innovation and the courage to invest in resilient, future-facing infrastructure.

Lagos Emerges as Africa’s Fastest Growing Traffic Hub

Fresh industry rankings showcased at the Luanda summit underscore a significant upward trajectory for Nigeria’s primary gateway. Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos recorded an 11.8 percent increase in air traffic movements throughout 2025, marking the most rapid growth rate among the continent’s leading aviation centers. This expansion highlights the city’s strengthening role as a central node for West African logistics and international flight connectivity.

Record Breaking Cargo Expansion Redefines Regional Logistics

The industrial performance of Nigeria’s aviation sector is further evidenced by a dramatic spike in freight processing. Cargo volumes at the Lagos airport rose by 34.4 percent, the highest growth percentage recorded among the top ten airports in Africa. Kuku noted that these figures are representative of a broader shift, positioning Nigeria as a premier commercial and logistics hub that can support large-scale trade operations across the continent.