Nigeria has officially flagged off RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route. This creates a new logistics corridor aimed at boosting trade between Nigeria and key markets across East and Southern Africa.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the development on Friday, June 19, during the official launch ceremony in Lagos. The inaugural cargo operation marks the commencement of RwandaAir’s dedicated freight service connecting Nigeria with destinations across East and Southern Africa.
The route is expected to provide exporters with a faster and more reliable channel for transporting goods across the continent, thereby strengthening regional trade links. The Federal Government stated that the launch opens up new export opportunities for Nigerian businesses, improves access to regional markets, and supports stronger supply chains across Africa.
Keyamo described the initiative as an example of how improved aviation connectivity can support trade and investment flows across the continent. This is particularly relevant as African countries seek to deepen economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He emphasized, “We’re here with some of our exporters; this is where aviation interlines with trade and investment. This is in pursuit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote trade and investment across Africa.” The minister also noted that the cargo route forms part of broader efforts to make continental trade easier by improving physical connections between African economies, a key objective of the AfCFTA framework.
“I am excited to be here with my sister, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, to supervise and launch this effort in support and consonance with the principles and letters of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). You cannot transform African trade without connecting Africa first,” he added.
The new cargo service is expected to improve logistics efficiency for exporters operating in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. It aims to reduce transit times and expand access to regional markets.
The initiative also aligns with broader continental efforts to liberalize air transport through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). This African Union-backed program is designed to remove barriers to air connectivity and improve the movement of goods and people across the continent.
Keyamo has been a proponent of this initiative, advocating for stronger commitment by African governments to open-skies policies and improved market access. Industry stakeholders believe improved cargo connectivity could help increase trade volumes, strengthen regional value chains, and support economic growth.
The launch builds on recent efforts by Nigeria and Rwanda to deepen economic and trade cooperation. In May, Nairametrics reported that Nigeria unveiled a dedicated air cargo corridor with RwandaAir, opening direct export channels from Nigeria to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare.
The corridor is implemented through collaboration between RwandaAir and several Nigerian agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The growing cooperation between both countries has also extended beyond aviation. Following President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, Nigeria introduced a visa-free entry arrangement for Rwandan citizens travelling to the country for short-term visits. Under this policy, Rwandan nationals can enter Nigeria without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, and official engagements.
