Nigeria has launched a new air cargo corridor with RwandAir, opening direct export routes to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare for Nigerian exporters.
- +Nigeria opens cargo corridor with RwandAir to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare
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 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.
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.
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.
The launch of the new air cargo corridor follows discussions initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.
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.
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 also confirmed that AfCFTA tariffs had been officially gazetted, unlocking lower tariff rates for Nigerian exporters and further boosting trade opportunities under the agreement.
