Nigeria and RwandAir Forge Expanded Cargo Corridor to Catalyse AfCFTA Trade and Slash Export Costs
Nigeria, through its Federal Government and in partnership with RwandAir, has officially launched an expanded air cargo corridor designed to significantly reduce export costs and invigorate intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The initiative, flagged off with the inaugural shipment on Friday in Lagos, promises to provide Nigerian exporters with more competitive freight rates and enhanced access to critical African markets.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the strategic importance of this development, stating that the expanded corridor now encompasses export routes to Kigali, Rwanda; Lusaka, Zambia; and Harare, Zimbabwe. Furthermore, it introduces additional carrier options for existing routes to Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. A key benefit for businesses is the substantial reduction in cargo rates on RwandAir-operated routes, now priced below two dollars per kilogramme, a marked decrease from previous rates ranging between three and ten dollars per kilogramme. These preferential rates are contingent upon exporters possessing an AfCFTA Certificate of Origin, issued by the Nigeria Customs Service.
Dr. Oduwole emphasised that this expanded corridor directly confronts the persistent challenge of high logistics costs, offering Nigerian businesses faster, more affordable, and predictable export solutions. “If you ever wonder whether the AfCFTA is real, or what it means, this corridor, pioneered by Nigeria, provides a concrete answer,” she asserted, underscoring the tangible impact of the initiative.
This latest expansion builds upon the corridor’s initial launch on May 25, 2025, which initially covered Entebbe, Uganda; Nairobi, Kenya; and Johannesburg, South Africa. Within its first year of operation, the original corridor demonstrated remarkable success, recording a 40 per cent increase in export volumes. This growth translates directly into increased production, job creation, enhanced export revenue, and overall economic expansion for Nigerian businesses, with a particular positive impact noted for women-led enterprises. It also signifies the strengthening of commercial relationships between Nigerian businesses and their African counterparts.
Nigeria’s commitment to the AfCFTA market was further underscored by Dr. Oduwole, who described the nation as a champion of the continental trade pact. She noted that Nigeria remains the first and, currently, the only country to have established a dedicated logistics solution specifically aimed at substantially lowering the cost of transporting goods across Africa.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, affirmed that this initiative aligns seamlessly with broader efforts to establish a Single African Air Transport Market and dismantle trade and movement barriers across the continent. He referenced recent discussions at an aviation conference in Lomé, Togo, which focused on eliminating visa restrictions and protectionist policies that impede seamless air connectivity. “You cannot transform Africa or promote the AfCFTA without connecting Africa first,” Mr. Keyamo stated. “While the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is driving trade facilitation, we in aviation are working to open up African skies and ensure the free movement of goods and people across the continent.” In a related development, Mr. Keyamo also announced plans to commence cargo flights between Guangzhou, China, and Enugu by December, a move intended to facilitate trade flows and optimise logistics for Nigerian businesses, particularly supporting commercial hubs like Aba and Onitsha through more efficient cargo distribution.
Mr. Vianney Rubagumwa, representing the Embassy of Rwanda in Nigeria, hailed the inaugural export flight as a practical manifestation of Africa’s collective commitment to transforming AfCFTA objectives into concrete economic achievements. He highlighted that this collaboration is poised to reduce trade barriers and unlock new market access opportunities for exporters across East and Southern Africa, reinforcing Rwanda’s dedication to regional integration, trade facilitation, and robust logistics systems.
Comptroller Chidi Nworie, representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, expressed that the expanded corridor will foster new avenues for Nigerian exporters and bolster the nation’s competitiveness within regional markets. He anticipates increased market access for Nigerian products, a rise in foreign exchange earnings, and significant job creation and economic growth. “The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to trade facilitation through simplified customs procedures, stakeholder engagement, technology-driven processes, and effective border management,” Comptroller Nworie stated. “As Africa moves towards greater economic integration, partnerships such as these will strengthen intra-African trade and unlock the continent’s immense potential.”
Exporters present at the event conveyed a strong sense of optimism, anticipating that the expanded cargo corridor will deepen regional integration, enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian exports, and accelerate the realisation of the AfCFTA’s overarching objectives.
