The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uganda Airlines, has officially inaugurated the Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, providing a 50 per cent discount on cargo rates.
At the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja on Sunday, which also marked Africa Day, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, described the initiative as a transformative export strategy under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Dr Oduwole explained that the new corridor will grant Nigerian exporters direct access to three major African hubs: Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. She added that air cargo costs are discounted by between 50 and 75 per cent, inclusive of logistics and regulatory charges.
“This initiative fulfils a key campaign promise by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate Nigeria’s non-oil export diversification by leveraging opportunities within AfCFTA,”she stated.
The Minister affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses, especially Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), in expanding their exports across Africa by reducing costs, enhancing delivery speed, and lowering risks.
The preferential cargo rates will apply to businesses affiliated with national organisations such as the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), and Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), among others, ensuring broad-based and inclusive participation.
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Dr Oduwole noted that this milestone follows the President’s approval and gazetting of Nigeria’s Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concessions (PSTCs) in April.
“With support from the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, the Ministry has positioned Nigeria not only as a participant in AfCFTA but as a leader in shaping and advancing its implementation,”she said.
Operating from Lagos and Abuja, the corridor benefits from strong collaboration across government agencies.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Aviation, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for facilitating the corridor’s successful launch.
The inaugural cargo shipment included a variety of Made-in-Nigeria products such as textiles, cosmetics, fashion accessories, and agro-processed goods, all from women-owned businesses.
“These female entrepreneurs are pioneers, leading Nigerian enterprises in intra-African trade,” Dr Oduwole said.
She concluded by highlighting the advantages of the newly gazetted AfCFTA tariffs, which enable Nigerian goods to benefit from reduced tariffs across African markets.
“As we celebrate Africa Day, I commend the resilient Nigerian businesses on this historic flight. This Administration will continue to support you as you expand Nigeria’s presence across the continent,” she affirmed.
NAN
