Nigeria has launched a new regional air cargo corridor in partnership with RwandAir, creating direct export routes for Nigerian businesses to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare as part of efforts to boost intra-African trade.
The announcement was made on Monday by Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, through her official X account.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s export logistics network and provide local businesses with faster and more affordable access to markets in East and Southern Africa.
According to Oduwole, the new cargo corridor was launched on Africa Day and forms part of broader efforts to deepen regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Today, on Africa Day, we launch the expansion of the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor in partnership with @FlyRwandAir, giving our exporters affordable, direct access to three new key markets: Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare,” she stated.
She explained that the project is being implemented in collaboration with several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The minister said the initiative is designed to reduce logistics barriers and improve export opportunities for Nigerian businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand across Africa.
She added that the programme builds on earlier pilot export shipments involving Nigerian companies, including women-led businesses, with the inaugural RwandAir cargo shipment expected to take place in mid-June 2026.
The launch follows discussions initiated during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.
The visit also resulted in Nigeria introducing a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan citizens under a reciprocal arrangement aimed at strengthening travel, trade, and diplomatic ties between both countries.
The agreement followed meetings between Tinubu and Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa.
According to the Nigeria Immigration Service, the visa-free policy has already been activated across airports, land borders, and seaports nationwide.
Under the arrangement, Rwandan nationals can now enter Nigeria without a visa for business, tourism, and official engagements for stays not exceeding 30 days.
Officials say the move mirrors Rwanda’s longstanding visa-free policy for Nigerian citizens and is expected to deepen economic cooperation between both countries.
