Ministers launch RwandaAir cargo flight to boost Nigerian exports to East/Southern Africa
Ministers Festus Keyamo (Aviation) and Jumoke Oduwole (Industry) officially flagged off RwandaAir's first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route this Friday, June 14, 2026. The launch supports President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to boost intra-African trade under AfCFTA by providing faster logistics for Nigerian exporters.
The cargo service specifically targets agricultural, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and non-oil export sectors, offering more efficient market access across East and Southern Africa. Keyamo emphasized the initiative aligns with SAATM goals to liberalize continental air transport—a position he recently advocated at the African Air Transport Expo in Lomé, Togo—stating that 'You cannot transform African trade without connecting Africa first.'
With attendance from government officials, exporters, aviation stakeholders, and RwandaAir executives, the route is expected to increase trade volumes and strengthen regional supply chains. Nigerian businesses should evaluate how this dedicated air cargo option could reduce transit times for perishable goods or time-sensitive shipments to markets like Johannesburg, Nairobi, or Durban, potentially enhancing competitiveness in regional value chains.