Nigeria has officially launched a new RwandAir cargo corridor connecting the country to key markets in East and Southern Africa, a move expected to lower export costs, improve market access, and strengthen the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as reported by The Guardian Nigeria and ChannelsTv. The inaugural cargo flight was flagged off by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand non-oil exports across the continent.
The new route, operated by RwandAir, extends Nigeria’s existing Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor by providing direct access to Kigali, Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. According to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, exporters previously paid between $3 and $10 per kilogram to ship goods into these markets. Under the new arrangement, cargo rates have been reduced to below $2 per kilogram, significantly improving the competitiveness of Nigerian products across the region.
Government officials said the corridor is designed to support high-growth sectors including agribusiness, textiles, fashion, cosmetics, processed foods, and light manufacturing. The initiative builds on an earlier partnership with Uganda Airlines launched in 2025 and forms part of a broader strategy to remove logistical barriers that have historically constrained intra-African trade. Recent trade data cited by the ministry showed Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets increased from $150 million in 2024 to $207 million in 2025, reflecting growing momentum under AfCFTA.
For Nigeria’s economy, the launch represents more than a new aviation route. ThisDay says lower freight costs and faster delivery times could help exporters scale operations, access new customers, and deepen the country’s integration into regional value chains. As Africa moves toward greater economic integration, strategic logistics partnerships such as the RwandAir cargo corridor are expected to play a crucial role in unlocking trade, investment, and industrial growth across the continent.
