In a landmark move aimed at strengthening regional trade and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Federal Government has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor.
The initiative, jointly unveiled by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. It marks a strategic effort to facilitate seamless air cargo movement between Nigeria and key markets in East and Southern Africa.
Speaking at the launch, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the corridor would remove bottlenecks in cross-border trade, significantly reduce logistics costs, and shorten delivery times for Nigerian exports. “This air cargo corridor is a game changer that will promote competitiveness, enhance supply chain reliability, and support Nigerian exporters in accessing broader markets across the continent,” he said.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, represented by a senior official, hailed the corridor as a vital tool for driving economic diversification and industrialization. She noted that the corridor aligns with the Federal Government’s goal to position Nigeria as a dominant trading hub in Africa under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
As part of the operational launch, Nigerian agricultural and manufactured goods were symbolically loaded onto Uganda Airlines, officially inaugurating direct air cargo services to destinations in East and Southern Africa. The move is expected to enhance Nigeria’s non-oil export performance and foster stronger trade links with countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Africa.
Stakeholders from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), private sector exporters, and representatives from the diplomatic community were present at the event, expressing optimism about the corridor’s potential to unlock economic opportunities across the continent.
The Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor is a concrete step toward realizing the promises of AfCFTA, improving regional integration, and building a resilient, globally competitive Nigerian economy driven by trade.
