Nigeria has launched a new air cargo corridor in partnership with RwandAir, opening direct export routes for Nigerian businesses to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare as part of efforts to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The announcement was made by Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who described the initiative as a major step toward improving Nigeria’s non-oil export sector and reducing trade barriers across the continent.
According to the ministry, the new partnership will provide Nigerian exporters with direct cargo access to:
Kigali, Rwanda
Lusaka, Zambia
Harare, Zimbabwe
The deal also expands existing export connections to Nairobi and Johannesburg, giving businesses broader access to East and Southern African markets.
Officials stated that the new cargo corridor is expected to significantly reduce export transportation costs for Nigerian traders and manufacturers. Cargo rates under the arrangement are projected to remain below $2 per kilogram, compared to previous shipping costs that reportedly ranged between $3 and $10 per kilogram on some African routes.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said the initiative is part of Nigeria’s wider strategy to strengthen participation in AfCFTA and promote regional economic integration.
Speaking on the development, Oduwole noted that the country is already beginning to witness positive results from its trade expansion policies. She disclosed that Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African countries rose from $150 million in 2024 to about $207 million in 2025.
The minister explained that the corridor would benefit exporters in sectors such as agriculture, processed foods, cosmetics, fashion, textiles, and light manufacturing by helping them move goods faster and more affordably across the continent.
