Logistics Infrastructure Investment, Trade Facilitation, and Economic Growth in South East Nigeria: An Empirical Nexus

This study empirically examines the nexus between logistics infrastructure investment, trade facilitation, and economic growth in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. The South East is home to significant commercial and manufacturing activity, yet chronic logistics infrastructure deficits in road quality, market access, and inter-state connectivity constrain trade volume and economic output. Using a mixed quantitative-panel design, state-level economic and infrastructure data from 2015 to 2024 are combined with survey data from 120 logistics and trade managers across the five states. Logistics infrastructure investment is proxied through annual road expenditure per state, freight handling capacity index, and market access score. Trade facilitation is assessed through customs processing efficiency, inter-state trade volume per sector, and market connectivity index. Economic growth is measured through gross state product growth rate and employment in logistics-dependent sectors. Vector autoregressive and fixed-effects panel regression models are employed to estimate dynamic relationships. The study draws on endogenous growth theory, trade facilitation literature, and African infrastructure economics research. Findings are expected to confirm bi-directional relationships between logistics infrastructure investment and trade facilitation, with significant multiplier effects on economic growth. The study provides an original sub-national empirical contribution on the economic returns to logistics investment in South East Nigeria. Recommendations address the South East Development Commission, state governors, and the Federal Ministry of Works on investment prioritisation and regional logistics infrastructure coordination. Keywords: logistics infrastructure, trade facilitation, economic growth, South East Nigeria, regional development.