The Role of Transport Infrastructure in Facilitating Trade at the Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State

The Onitsha Main Market, regarded as one of the largest open markets in West Africa, depends heavily on efficient transport infrastructure to sustain its role as a commercial hub. This study investigates the role of transport infrastructure in facilitating trade activities at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were gathered from 200 traders, transporters, and market association officials through structured questionnaires and observational notes. The study evaluates road connectivity, parking management, loading and offloading facilities, and the impact of infrastructure quality on trade volumes and business profitability. Results show that inadequate market access roads, absence of organised freight terminals, and the lack of truck waiting bays create severe bottlenecks that inflate logistics costs for traders by an estimated 22 percent. Market congestion is identified as a recurring problem that discourages bulk buyers from distant states. The study highlights the need for a dedicated market logistics zone, the construction of a multi-storey car park, and the rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Asaba bridge approach road. It also calls for a joint infrastructure management committee involving market associations, local government authorities, and the Anambra State government. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge on transport-trade nexus in urban commercial centres across Nigeria. Keywords: trade facilitation, transport infrastructure, Onitsha, market logistics, Anambra.