Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has expressed willingness to strengthen trade facilitation between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The ground handling company is also exploring strategic partnerships with leading Middle East airlines with the intent of boosting passengers, cargo and e-commerce activities between the two countries.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, SAHCO, Vanessa Uansohia, said that the commitment was made during a courtesy visit of its management to the UAE Embassy in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the Managing Director, SAHCO, Adenike Aboderin, who represented the SAHCO Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, reiterated the need to strengthen bilateral trade, enhance passenger and cargo handling, trade facilitation, e-commerce partnerships with other collaborations, as well as leverage aviation as a catalyst for economic growth.

Afolabi assured that SAHCO was committed to supporting initiatives that promote seamless passenger movement, cargo movement and trade between Nigeria and the UAE.

According to him, SAHCO possesses the operational capacity, infrastructure and expertise required to facilitate increased passenger and cargo volumes and support the growing demand for e-commerce logistics across the region.

He said: “We (SAHCO) are strategically positioned to support trade facilitation between Nigeria and the UAE through efficient passenger handling, baggage handling, cargo handling services, modern infrastructure and a strong commitment to operational excellence.

“We are open to collaborations that will strengthen connectivity and create value for businesses in both countries.”

Afolabi explained that SAHCO was open to opportunities for collaboration with UAE airlines, emphasising that stronger partnerships between aviation stakeholders in Nigeria and the UAE would contribute significantly to expanding trade volumes, improving supply chain efficiency and supporting economic diversification efforts.

Also, the UAE delegation, led by the Head of Mission to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, expressed interest in understanding SAHCO’s operational capabilities and exploring avenues for stronger cooperation in passenger, baggage, cargo and trade facilitation.

He also promised that the UAE Embassy in Nigeria would serve as a bridge for building deeper commercial relationships between businesses in both countries.