Nigeria has expanded its regional trade network with the launch of a new air cargo corridor in partnership with RwandAir, opening direct export routes to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare as part of its African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation strategy.
The announcement was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, during Africa Day 2026 activities. The initiative extends the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor launched in 2025 through a previous partnership with Uganda Airlines.
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Under the new arrangement, Nigerian exporters will gain access to more affordable cargo transportation into key East and Southern African markets including Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare. The partnership also provides exporters with additional carrier options on existing routes to Nairobi and Johannesburg.
According to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, exporters previously paid between $3 and $10 per kilogram to move goods into many African markets, making Nigerian products less competitive. However, cargo rates under the new RwandAir partnership are expected to remain below $2 per kilogram across the covered destinations.
Oduwole stated that the initiative is designed to remove trade barriers and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses across Africa. She noted that Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets increased from $150 million in 2024 to $207 million in 2025 following the earlier rollout of the cargo corridor system.
The government said sectors expected to benefit significantly from the expanded cargo network include agribusiness, cosmetics, processed foods, fashion and textiles, and light manufacturing. The maiden RwandAir cargo shipment under the initiative is expected to commence in June 2026.
The development also reflects growing economic cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda following bilateral discussions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Paul Kagame during the 13th Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali earlier this month.
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What You Need to Know
- Nigeria has expanded its AfCFTA cargo corridor through a partnership with RwandAir.
- The new routes connect Nigerian exporters directly to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare.
- Cargo costs are expected to drop below $2 per kilogram on the covered routes.
- The initiative targets faster and cheaper intra-African trade for Nigerian businesses.
Implications
The expanded cargo corridor could significantly improve Nigeria’s export competitiveness across Africa by lowering logistics costs and reducing delivery time for businesses. It also strengthens regional trade integration under AfCFTA and creates wider market access opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s partnership with RwandAir signals a deeper push toward practical African trade integration beyond policy discussions. By reducing cargo costs and expanding export access into East and Southern Africa, the initiative positions Nigerian businesses for stronger regional participation in the continent’s growing intra-African trade ecosystem.
Source: Nairametrics
