NIGERIA TAKES FLIGHT WITH AFCFTA AIR CORRIDOR TO BOOST INTRA-AFRICAN EXPORT

Nigeria has introduced a 50 percent tariff reduction for trade with least-developed African countries.

Nigeria Africa Trade Air corridor Export Business.
Nigeria Minister fot Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Nigeria Minister fot Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole


Nigeria has launched a dedicated air corridor under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, aiming to slash export logistics costs by up to 75 percent and open faster access to key African markets.

The air corridor, operated by Uganda Airlines, will offer direct freight connections between Nigeria and major trade partners such as Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. This development is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian products, particularly in the agriculture, textiles, and cosmetics sectors, where Nigerian businesses already hold a strong advantage.

Unveiled on Africa Day by Trade and Investment Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the initiative is being hailed as a transformative step in Nigeria’s trade strategy under AfCFTA.

“This air corridor represents a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s trade relations with Africa,” Oduwole stated,” Oduwole said. “By dramatically reducing transportation costs and barriers, we’re empowering Nigerian businesses to expand their reach across the continent.” 

The launch aligns with Nigeria’s full implementation of AfCFTA tariff reductions, formally gazetted in April 2025. Under the agreement, Nigerian exports now enjoy zero duties on 90 percent of goods traded with fellow AfCFTA members. Nigeria has introduced a 50 percent tariff reduction for trade with least-developed African countries, while trade with developing African nations is entirely duty-free.

Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that the air corridor is part of a broader national effort to capitalize on AfCFTA’s benefits fully. “From digital trade protocols to physical trade infrastructure like this air corridor, we’re building an ecosystem that will grow intra-African trade from 18% to 50% by 2030,” he said. 

Industry experts see the air corridor as a practical solution to longstanding export challenges, particularly the high cost and inefficiency of sea shipping and road transport. By offering faster delivery for perishable goods and time-sensitive products, the corridor is expected to help Nigerian exporters maintain quality and meet demand more reliably.

The move is also expected to encourage more technology-driven businesses to explore cross-border trade, as improved logistics lower operational hurdles.

As the first dedicated AfCFTA-focused air freight route on the continent, Nigeria’s new corridor may serve as a model for other African countries seeking to boost regional trade. With reduced tariffs and faster, cheaper transportation, Nigerian exporters are now better positioned to compete in the fast-integrating African market.

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