Abuja: The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uganda Airlines, has inaugurated the Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor with a 50 percent discount. The Minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, announced the launch during the African Day celebrations in Abuja, describing it as a transformative export initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the new air cargo corridor will provide Nigerian exporters access to three key African hubs: Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. The air cargo rates are discounted between 50 to 75 percent in logistics costs, including regulatory charges. Dr. Oduwole emphasized that this initiative fulfills a campaign promise by President Bola Tinubu to diversify Nigeria’s non-oil exports by leveraging AfCFTA opportunities. The Federal Government is committed to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling their exports across the continent, particularly empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to expand into African markets with lower costs and reduced risks.
The minister highlighted that preferential cargo rates would apply to businesses affiliated with leading national business associations such as Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), among others. This approach ensures inclusive participation and coordinated implementation. The milestone follows the President’s approval and the gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs) in April.
Dr. Oduwole pointed out that with support from the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, the ministry aims to position Nigeria not only as a participant in AfCFTA but as a leader in shaping and advancing the agreement’s implementation. The corridor operates from Lagos and Abuja, backed by strong government collaboration. The minister expressed appreciation to the Minister of Finance, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Aviation, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for facilitating the success of the inauguration.
The inaugural cargo shipment featured a variety of Made-in-Nigeria products, including textiles, cosmetics, fashion accessories, and agro-processed goods, marking the beginning of a new era for Nigerian exports into African markets. Dr. Oduwole noted that all exporters on the historic flight were women-owned businesses, recognizing them as pioneers in positioning Nigerian enterprises at the forefront of intra-African trade. With AfCFTA tariffs now gazetted, Nigerian goods can benefit from lower tariffs across African markets. As Africa Day is celebrated, Dr. Oduwole commended the participating Nigerian businesses and assured continued government support as they expand Nigeria’s footprint across the continent.