“AFRICA CAN’T COMPETE WITH BROKEN AIRPORTS” — OKONJO-IWEALA WARNS NIGERIA IN GLOBAL CALL FOR URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE
Uchechi Okporie
Apr 02, 2026
3 min read
In a powerful message that has sent ripples across Africa’s aviation and trade circles, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged Nigeria to overhaul and modernise its airports, warning that outdated infrastructure is putting Africa’s economic future at risk.
Speaking during an inspection visit, Okonjo-Iweala said global investors and airlines are increasingly demanding world-class standards and Nigeria must upgrade or be left behind.
She stressed that airports are no longer just travel points but gateways that determine a nation’s global reputation, adding that countries with efficient, modern terminals attract tourism, trade and high-level investment.
“Africa cannot compete globally with weak aviation infrastructure. Nigeria must lead by example,” she noted.
Her remarks arrive at a time when African nations are battling for aviation dominance, especially with the rise of AfCFTA, which aims to boost intra-African business and travel.
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Experts say Nigeria holds the population, geography and market size to be West Africa’s aviation leader but its ageing airport structures threaten that advantage.
Okonjo-Iweala called for consistent maintenance, long-term investment, transparent planning and modern safety standards, saying these are essential if Nigeria wants to become a true continental hub.
Aviation analysts echo her stance, warning that failing to act now could push global airlines to favour competitors like Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa, leaving Nigeria behind in a fast-evolving sector.
Her message has sparked nationwide conversation, with many urging the government to see aviation infrastructure not as an expense but as a strategic economic weapon capable of transforming trade, job creation and global access for millions of Nigerians.
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