Nigeria Partners with RwandAir to Cut Export Costs

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a partnership with RwandAir to create an air cargo corridor that will significantly reduce export costs for Nigerian goods to East and Southern Africa. This initiative is part of Nigeria's broader strategy to enhance intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

The new corridor will connect Nigeria to five destinations, including Kigali, Harare, Lusaka, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, with cargo rates set to be below $2 per kilogram, compared to the current $3 to $10 per kilogram. The partnership aims to provide Nigerian exporters with additional carrier options and is expected to be formally inaugurated in June 2026.

Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized that this initiative is designed to tackle high logistics costs, which have been a significant barrier for Nigerian exports. The government anticipates that the implementation of this corridor will lead to a rise in Nigeria's non-oil exports to the African market, projected to increase from $150 million in 2024 to $207 million in 2025.