Nigerian exporters are benefiting from a major reduction in freight costs of up to 75 percent under a new air cargo corridor linking West, East and Southern Africa, as part of efforts to deepen trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, launched in May 2025, is designed to reduce shipping costs, eliminate inefficient routing and improve access to regional markets for Nigerian goods, particularly agro-processed products, textiles, cosmetics and fashion items.
According to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, the initiative is already delivering measurable gains in export competitiveness.
“The corridor has reduced the cost of moving Nigerian goods to other regions and enhanced the competitiveness of Nigerian products in priority markets,” she said, describing the programme as proof that AfCFTA can deliver “real commercial outcomes” for businesses.
The corridor initially launched with Uganda Airlines serving key routes including Entebbe, Nairobi and Johannesburg, before expanding in 2026 through a partnership with RwandAir.
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The expansion added new destinations such as Kigali, Lusaka and Harare, improving connectivity for Nigerian exporters and providing more flexible routing options across the continent.
Under the RwandAir agreement, export rates for shipments above 1,000 kilograms range from about $1.20 per kilogram to Kigali and US$1.70 per kilogram to Johannesburg, along with a flat airway bill fee of US$15. These rates represent a sharp decline from previous costs, which reportedly ranged between US$5 and $10 per kilogram or higher.
Officials say the pricing reforms are helping particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which previously faced high logistical barriers to accessing African markets.
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Trade data cited by the Ministry indicates that Nigeria’s non-oil exports to 25 non-ECOWAS African countries rose from US$150 million in 2024 to US$207 million in 2025. Freight operators also report a 40 percent increase in export volumes since the corridor began, alongside a 70 percent average reduction in cargo costs.
The improvements have been welcomed by exporters, who say the reduced costs are opening new opportunities across regional markets.
“This arrangement has genuinely opened a new door for me,” said Chinwe Ezenwa of Lelook Nigeria Ltd, who exports fashion products to East Africa and plans to expand shipments to Southern Africa.
The corridor forms part of broader efforts under AfCFTA to strengthen intra-African trade by reducing transport inefficiencies and improving logistics integration across the continent.
