In a move to strengthen regional trade and drive continental integration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) have officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor.
Aligned with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the new corridor is designed to reduce export costs, enhance logistics efficiency, and expand market access for Nigerian businesses across Africa.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, brought together senior government officials and industry leaders from the aviation, trade, and logistics sectors.
The event was led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi; and the Director of Commercial and Business Development at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Adebola Agunbiade, who represented FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku.
Describing the initiative as a strategic milestone under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Comptroller-General Adeniyi said the corridor affirms Nigeria’s leadership in advancing AfCFTA implementation and unlocking intra-African trade opportunities.
“This is more than a ceremonial handover; it is a gateway to new opportunities for Nigerian businesses and proof that we are ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation through trade,” he stated.
Adeniyi revealed that Nigerian exports processed by Customs surged to ₦136.65 trillion in 2024, reflecting a 219.5% increase from the previous year.
The momentum continued into the first quarter of 2025, with export volumes rising by 349% compared to Q1 2024 — a clear indication of Nigeria’s expanding footprint in regional commerce.
He credited the growth to Customs-led reforms, including the digitalisation of export procedures, the deployment of dedicated AfCFTA implementation units across commands, and the streamlined issuance of Certificates of Origin to help exporters access preferential tariffs under the free trade agreement.
He called on regional airlines, shipping companies, and cargo operators to replicate the corridor’s success across land and sea routes.
“This corridor must not stand alone. It is a template for future trade networks connecting seaports, airports, and borders for the prosperity of our people,” Adeniyi added.
Oduwole underscored the corridor’s alignment with Nigeria’s broader strategy for economic diversification.
She pointed to the immediate impact of the initiative, which includes a negotiated 50% reduction in air freight rates, thereby making Nigerian exports more competitive.
“We are not just talking diversification; we are implementing it. Today’s launch signifies a turning point for our exporters,” she said, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to scaling up value-added production and supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs to seize opportunities across the continent.
The event’s symbolic highlight was the official handover of Nigerian export cargo to Uganda Airlines, marking the operational launch of the corridor.
Uganda Airlines’ Country Manager, Patrick Ziwa, praised Nigeria’s leadership in driving innovation in African air cargo logistics.
“This is a strong statement by Nigeria to other African nations that regional trade is not just a vision—it is already in motion,” he remarked.
Certificates of Origin were also issued on-site to a select group of compliant exporters, formally granting them access to reduced tariffs in East and Southern African markets.
Representing FAAN, Adebola Agunbiade pledged the authority’s continued support for Nigeria’s national export strategy, noting that FAAN remains committed to providing the infrastructure and regulatory environment necessary to make air cargo logistics more efficient.
“FAAN, under the leadership of Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, is fully aligned with the national export strategy and will continue to position our airports as engines of economic development,” she said.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.
