Nigeria has launched a new air cargo corridor with RwandAir, opening direct export routes to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare for Nigerian exporters.
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The announcement was made by the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, via her official X account on Monday.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s air cargo export network and improving access for local businesses to key markets across East and Southern Africa.
What they are saying
Oduwole said the expansion was launched on Africa Day as part of broader efforts to deepen intra-African trade and reduce logistics barriers limiting cross-border exports for Nigerian businesses.
- “Today, on Africa Day, we launch the expansion of the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor in partnership with @FlyRwandAir, giving our exporters affordable, direct access to three new key markets: Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare,” the statement read in part.
- She explained that the corridor is being implemented in partnership with RwandAir and supported by agencies including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
- According to her, the initiative is designed to provide exporters with more affordable and direct access to regional markets, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to scale across the continent.
She noted that the project builds on earlier pilot shipments involving Nigerian businesses, including women-led enterprises, and will culminate in an inaugural RwandAir shipment scheduled for mid-June 2026.
Oduwole added that the programme reflects continued collaboration with regional governments and development partners aimed at boosting Africa’s internal trade under continental integration frameworks.
Backstory
The launch of the new air cargo corridor follows discussions initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.
- The visit also led to Nigeria introducing a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan nationals under a bilateral arrangement aimed at easing travel between both countries after Tinubu’s meeting with Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali.
- According to the Nigeria Immigration Service, all necessary arrangements have been completed for the immediate implementation of the presidential directive across airports, land borders, and seaports.
- Under the policy, Rwandan nationals can now enter Nigeria without a visa for lawful purposes such as tourism, business, and official engagements, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.
Authorities noted that the visa exemption is a reciprocal gesture reflecting Rwanda’s existing visa-free policy for Nigerian citizens and is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between both countries.
Discussions between both countries also covered trade, mobility, and pending Memoranda of Understanding on tourism, anti-corruption, and drug trafficking, alongside support for the African Continental Free Trade Area.
What you should know
Nigeria in May 2025 launched an AfCFTA air corridor aimed at boosting exports to key African markets, including Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, while reducing logistics costs for Nigerian exporters by between 50% and 75%.
- The announcement was also made by Oduwole via her official X account. She explained that the corridor, operated through Uganda Airlines, forms part of broader efforts to connect Nigerian goods more efficiently to African Continental Free Trade Area markets and unlock easier access for exporters by reducing transportation barriers and costs.
- The corridor is expected to support the export of products such as textiles, cosmetics, and agro-products, helping Nigerian businesses expand their reach across the continent.
The announcement also confirmed that AfCFTA tariffs had been officially gazetted, unlocking lower tariff rates for Nigerian exporters and further boosting trade opportunities under the agreement.
