2026/07/26

Understanding the market

To develop a successful export business, a good understanding of your target market(s) is essential. This involves conducting research on your export destination(s). 

A good market research should not be based on facts and figures only, It should also focus on factors that drive the target market(s).

 

Tips to understand the market

  1. Gather basic market information regarding import regulations, trade statistics, tariff regimes and much more. Various Market Analysis tools can be handy in this respect.
  2.  Focus your research on a specific product or service.
  3. Research on your competitor’s market(s). Find out what they are doing right.
  4. Attend market-specific seminars.
  5. Seek practical advice from experienced exporters.
  6. Develop direct contacts with potential buyers. You can make use of authentic online directories.
  7. Understand the market environment (culture, demography, religion, currency…)
  8. Relevant Trade Fairs and Embassies are good sources of information.

 

Research Areas

Some of the important areas of market research include:

  • Trade statistics and trends
  • Trade policies
  • Regulatory framework
  • Business environment
  • Business culture
  • Distribution channels
  • Logistics
  • Risk assessment

 

Tools for market analysis

There are numerous online Market Analysis-tools available. Some of these tools can be accessed for free. These tools will enhance understanding of your target market(s)

Product specific market research

Having gathered and analyzed basic market information, you are to narrow your findings to the specific product or service. You can make an offer, send samples to buyers and await feedback.

Benefits of Market Research

A good market research enables you to:

  • Identify your most promising market
  • Obtain inputs for your Export Marketing Plan (EMP)
  • Have good understanding of the competitive environment of your target market
  • Minimize risks and maximize prospects

 


Step-by-Step Process to Export Goods from Nigeria

Step 1: Register Your Business (CAC & FIRS)

Before starting, ensure your business is legally recognized:

Register a Limited Liability Company or Business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Ensure your Memorandum and Articles of Association state export/trading activities.

Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).


Step 2: Register with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

Registration with NEPC is mandatory for exporting non-oil goods.


Step 3: Open a Domiciliary Account & Register Form NXP

All export proceeds must be repatriated back to Nigeria via official banking channels:

Open a Domiciliary Account (USD, GBP, or EUR) with a Nigerian commercial bank.

Log in to the Central Bank of Nigeria Trade Monitoring System (TRMS) portal and complete the Form NXP (Nigeria Export Proceed Form) via your bank.


Step 4: Secure Product-Specific Certificates & Quality Clearance

Depending on the destination country and product type, quality control certification is required:

Agricultural/Food Items: Obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate from the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS). Processed Foods/Cosmetics: Obtain clearance/approval from NAFDAC.

Manufactured Goods: Obtain certification from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Pre-Shipment Inspection: Obtain a Clean Certificate of Inspection (CCI) from authorized inspection agents.


Step 5: Draft an Export Contract & Commercial Documents

Prepare essential commercial documents for your international buyer and customs:

Proforma Invoice / Commercial Invoice

Packing List (detailing dimensions, weight, and item counts)

Contract of Sale (outlining payment terms, Incoterms, and delivery schedules)


Step 6: Arrange Freight & Customs Clearance

Engage a licensed Customs Clearing Agent or freight forwarder.

Choose your shipping mode:

Air Freight: Ideal for high-value or perishable products.

Sea Freight: Ideal for large volume/bulk commodities.

Pay the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) fee (usually 0.5% of FOB value).

Complete Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) export clearance at the port or airport.


Step 7: Final Shipment & Repatriation of Funds

Your freight forwarder issues the Bill of Lading (sea shipping) or Air Waybill (air cargo).

Send shipping documents to the buyer or buyer's bank for destination clearing.

Your buyer pays through the agreed channel into your Domiciliary Account..


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Simon 2026/07/26

Baggage mishandling costs global aviation industry $6.3b – SITA

Despite significant improvements in baggage handling driven by digital technology, the global aviation industry still loses an estimated $6.3 billion yearly to mishandled luggage.

This was contained in the 2026 SITA Baggage IT Insights Report, made public yesterday.

The report, which was released as the industry marked the 20th edition of its annual baggage benchmark, showed that mishandled baggage rates declined by 23 per cent in 2025, the strongest improvement recorded outside the COVID-19 recovery period, just as global passenger traffic climbed to five billion.

According to SITA, approximately 24 million bags were mishandled during the year, with each incident costing airlines an average of $260.

 

Given that the industry’s average net profit stood at just $8 per passenger, the report noted that a single mishandled bag could wipe out the profit generated from more than 30 passengers, while five such incidents could eliminate the profit from an entire flight.

The report expressed that although passenger volumes continued to outgrow airport infrastructure expansion, the adoption of advanced digital technologies was beginning to transform baggage operations.

It noted that real-time data sharing, artificial intelligence-powered baggage routing, biometric bag-drop systems and connected passenger devices were among the innovations responsible for the industry’s improved performance in 2025.


SITA’s Portfolio Director for Baggage, Nicole Hogg, said baggage management was increasingly becoming a digital service rather than merely an operational process.

 

The report mentioned several technology-driven successes across the aviation sector.

According to the report, the integration of Apple’s Find My feature with SITA WorldTracer reduced permanently lost baggage by 90 per cent within its first year while shortening delayed baggage recovery time by 26 per cent.

SITA has also incorporated Google’s Find Hub item location-sharing capability into the WorldTracer platform, the report said.

Also, Thai Airways’ deployment of SITA’s Auto Reflight solution reduced baggage rebooking time from three minutes to just one second per bag across nine airports.

The Chief Executive Officer, SITA, David Lavorel, said the industry’s future growth would depend largely on intelligent technology rather than physical infrastructure expansion.


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2026/07/10

Safety and Investigations

Enugu Air Incident: 

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau launched a full probe after an Enugu Air Embraer E170 skidded off the runway at Benin Airport. All 68 passengers and crew safely evacuated with no fatalities

The management of Enugu Air has reacted to the Benin Airport incident, describing it as a “runway excursion.” 

Recall that an aircraft owned by Enugu Air with Registration Number 5N-ENR crash landed at Benin Airport Thursday afternoon. Apart from the the crew members, 68 passengers were on board the Enugu-Benin-Lagos commercial flight.

Reacting to the incident in a public announcement, the management confirmed the incident, and said all “passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties.

The management said the aircraft has been secured and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established procedures.

“An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway.

As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.

The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels,” the public announcement partly read.


Keyamo directs Nigeria-Belgium BASA conclusion as Etihad returns to Nigeria

  Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the immediate conclusion of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Belgium. This is just as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national carrier, Etihad Airways has unveiled


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