Africa: Transport

Road transportation remains the predominant means of movement for individuals and goods in Nigeria, and one feature that has remained constant in Nigeria's transportation landscape is the steady increase in the number of motor vehicles using public roads. In densely populated commercial centres such as Lagos, thousands of private motorists, commercial transport operators, heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and pedestrians interact daily within an increasingly congested road network. The inevitable consequence is the frequent occurrence of road traffic accidents resulting in death, bodily injury and substantial property damage.

Nigeria's maritime sector undergoes a major regulatory transformation with the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, which establishes a comprehensive framework for economic regulation of ports, introduces stricter tariff controls, enhanced enforcement powers, and transitions the Nigerian Shippers' Council into a dedicated economic regulator with expanded authority over port operations, terminal operators, and shipping services.

Nigeria's strategic position on the Gulf of Guinea and its status as one of Africa's largest import economies make it a critical market for international maritime logistics operators. However, establishing operations requires navigating a complex multi-agency regulatory architecture spanning company law, foreign investment restrictions, maritime licensing, customs compliance, and local content obligations.