Nigeria (again) “planning” the concession of its four main airports

Privatisation of African airports has been very patchy. There are many reasons why operators and investors alike would want to stay away from them. But a deal in Rwanda, one which involves an airline operator/investor, has awakened interest.

The Nigerian government would no doubt like to do the same with its four main airports, and it frequently tells the world it wants to have them concessioned, as it has just done - again.

But the trade unions there, and too many politicians, want the underperforming, unprofitable regional airports privatised first. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that.

This report reprises the history of this aspiration and examines what each of these airports has to offer. The conclusion is that the Lagos airport would generate most interest and that the government should start there, and see if it has a positive spin-off for the others.