In a strategic move to fully operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expand access to regional markets, the Federal Government has launched a new air cargo route connecting Nigeria to East and Southern Africa.
The cargo route, flagged off on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aims to open up regional trade for Nigerian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those affiliated with recognised business associations such as the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), and the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the initiative as a "strategic pathway" for Nigerian goods to reach key African markets such as Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
"This corridor is not just a logistics initiative; it is a trade enabler built by Africans for Africans," the Minister said. "It offers Nigerian MSMEs a reliable and cost-effective platform to expand across the continent."
Developed in collaboration with Uganda Airlines and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the initiative is designed to significantly reduce delivery timelines for exports — especially for perishable and time-sensitive goods such as textiles, processed foods, cosmetics, and leather products — from several weeks to just a few days.
The cargo rates on the route are reportedly 50 per cent lower than prevailing commercial rates and are accessible exclusively to businesses under recognised umbrella associations. According to the Minister, this model enables effective monitoring of trade flows and ensures that genuine businesses benefit from the scheme.
"The solution capitalises on Nigeria's strategic location, our role as AfCFTA Digital Trade Co-Champion, and the resilience of our entrepreneurial community," Dr. Oduwole added.
Read also
The air cargo route, which will initially operate from Lagos and Abuja, comes on the heels of Nigeria's gazetting of its Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs) in April 2025 — a key requirement for operationalising AfCFTA protocols. This step officially positions Nigerian exports to benefit from reduced tariffs across participating African countries.
Dr. Oduwole also announced plans to launch an AfCFTA Market Intelligence Tool, in partnership with UNDP, to support Nigerian businesses in navigating trade regulations and identifying opportunities across African markets.
The launch attracted key figures in Nigeria's trade and aviation sectors, including Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Nura Abba Rimi; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah; and Country Manager of Uganda Airlines, Mr. Patrick Ziwa.
Dr. Oduwole expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda, Uganda Airlines, FAAN, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria's organised private sector for their support in actualising the initiative.
"The time for preparation is over. The time for action is now. We urge Nigerian businesses to seize this opportunity, explore new markets, and trade continentally with full federal backing," she charged.
Experts have hailed the move as a significant step towards overcoming long-standing trade bottlenecks such as high transport costs, delayed shipments, and poor connectivity — challenges that have traditionally hindered Nigeria's trade with African partners.
AfCFTA, which took effect in January 2021, is the largest free trade area in the world by number of countries, with 54 signatories. Its aim is to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs on 90 per cent of goods, reducing non-tariff barriers, and promoting the free movement of people and capital.
Despite its potential, intra-African trade remains low, accounting for less than 15 per cent of the continent's total trade volume — a figure significantly behind Europe (60%) and Asia (40%).
Economic analysts believe Nigeria's new air corridor could serve as a model for other African nations and strengthen the country's leadership role within AfCFTA. The route is also expected to support value chain development, diversify exports, and boost Nigeria's share of value-added trade across the continent.
