By Kunle Sanni
The federal government has unveiled a new air cargo corridor that promises to slash logistics costs for Nigerian exporters by up to 75 percent, in a bold move to boost non-oil trade and strengthen Nigeria’s footprint across African markets.
Launched on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor links exporters directly to key destinations in Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uganda Airlines, marks a major step in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Announcing the corridor at the Africa Day ceremony, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the air cargo service comes with a groundbreaking discount of between 50 to 75 percent on freight and regulatory charges, effectively lowering the cost of exports for Nigerian businesses.
“This corridor is a game-changer. It not only reduces the financial burden on exporters but also accelerates delivery timelines and increases competitiveness for Nigerian products in African markets,” Dr. Oduwole stated.
The discounted cargo rates will benefit businesses affiliated with major national trade associations, including the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), and the Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (WCCIMA).
The corridor is particularly targeted at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with more affordable access to regional markets and encouraging wider participation in intra-African trade.
The launch follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval and formal gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions under AfCFTA in April 2025—a key policy milestone aimed at unlocking the country’s export potential.