Nigeria Launches RwandaAir Cargo Corridor to Deepen Intra-African Trade
By Admin, Lagos
Nigerian Government has officially launched RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa route,
This is part of the strategic initiative designed to strengthen intra-African trade, reduce export logistics costs, and open new markets for Nigerian businesses under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to unlocking the full benefits of AfCFTA.
“We’re here with some of our exporters; this is where aviation interlines with trade and investment. This is in pursuit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote trade and investment across Africa. We are also acting in line with the principles and objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area because you cannot transform African trade without connecting Africa first.” Keyamo said
According to the minister, enhanced air connectivity remains critical to Africa’s economic integration, noting that efficient cargo movement will help Nigerian exporters access regional markets more competitively.
He explained that the new cargo service would provide faster and more reliable logistics support for agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, manufactured goods, and other non-oil exports, while fostering regional economic growth and integration across the continent.
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the partnership with RwandaAir represents another major step in Nigeria’s implementation of AfCFTA and efforts to remove longstanding barriers to trade.
“One year ago, we promised that AfCFTA would work in practice for Nigerian businesses, not only on paper, With RwandaAir, we are widening the air cargo corridor so that more Nigerian exporters can reach more markets at a cost that allows them to compete.” Oduwole said
The expanded corridor connects Nigerian exporters to key destinations including Kigali, Harare and Lusaka, while also providing additional cargo access to Nairobi and Johannesburg.
Industry stakeholders say the initiative is expected to significantly lower freight costs and improve delivery timelines for exporters targeting East and Southern African markets.
Government data indicates that cargo rates on the RwandaAir routes have been reduced to below $2 per kilogram, compared to previous charges ranging between $3 and $10 per kilogram, a development expected to improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products across the continent.
The cargo corridor builds on Nigeria’s earlier partnership with Uganda Airlines launched in 2025 and forms part of broader efforts to boost non-oil exports, facilitate regional trade, and strengthen economic ties among African countries under the AfCFTA framework.
Officials say the initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s determination to position itself as a major trading hub within Africa’s emerging single market.