Nigeria Launches AfCFTA Air Corridor to East and Southern Africa, Slashes Export Costs by Up to 75%

In a major leap toward economic integration and trade expansion, Nigeria has launched an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) air corridor connecting exporters to Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa—cutting logistics costs by up to 75%.

Announced by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the corridor is set to operate via Uganda Airlines, strategically enhancing air freight linkages to key African economies. This initiative directly supports Nigeria’s ambition to deepen intra-African trade, reduce export bottlenecks, and give local producers a competitive edge.

“On Africa Day, we launch a bold new air corridor linking Nigerian goods to AfCFTA markets—via Uganda Airlines—cutting logistics costs by 50–75%. This opens access to Uganda, Kenya & South Africa,” Dr. Oduwole posted via X (formerly Twitter).

Boost for Exporters in Agro, Textile, and Cosmetic Sectors

The air corridor will prioritize export-ready sectors such as textiles, cosmetics, and agro-products—industries long hampered by high freight costs and infrastructural inefficiencies. By lowering the cost of air cargo, the move is expected to unlock new profitability levels for Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to scale regionally.

The announcement coincides with the formal gazetting of Nigeria’s AfCFTA tariff schedule, allowing exporters to leverage reduced duty rates across 90% of traded goods, as ratified in April 2025.

A Trade Blueprint Taking Shape

This latest development builds on Nigeria’s broader AfCFTA strategy, which includes digital trade initiatives and tariff alignment under ECOWAS protocols. The government has already implemented a 50% tariff reduction for trade with least-developed African countries, with full liberalization for developing African nations, phased in under a 10-year timeline beginning in 2021.

Vice President Kashim Shettima earlier emphasized the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol’s goal to boost intra-African trade from 18% in 2022 to 50% by 2030—highlighting Nigeria’s digital and physical infrastructure reforms as twin engines of regional commerce.

Strategic Implications for Nigeria and Africa

Nigeria’s leadership in the AfCFTA framework is becoming increasingly visible. The launch of this air corridor signals not only trade facilitation but also a repositioning of the country as a logistics hub for West Africa. It offers a strong counter-narrative to the global perception of African fragmentation, providing a template for efficient, intra-African connectivity.

For businesses, the implications are immediate: lower operating costs, faster delivery timelines, and access to a unified continental market with over 1.4 billion consumers.