FG expands Nigeria-Africa air cargo corridor with RwandAir partnership
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has partnered with RwandAir to expand the Nigeria-East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, adding Kigali, Harare, and Lusaka as new destinations. The partnership also provides Nigerian exporters a second carrier option on Nairobi and Johannesburg routes.
Cargo rates are set at under $2 per kilogram for all five destinations—a significant reduction from previous rates of $3-$10 per kilogram. The RwandAir partnership will be formally launched in June 2026.
This expansion follows an initial partnership with Uganda Airlines launched on Africa Day 2025 that covered Entebbe, Nairobi, and Johannesburg. The corridor is part of Nigeria's implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Non-oil exports to African markets have already increased from $150 million in 2024 to $207 million in 2025.
Will this reduced cargo cost enable your business to expand into East and Southern African markets, or will you need additional support to fully leverage these new trade opportunities?