The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has announced a new partnership with RwandAir to expand Nigeria’s air cargo export corridor to East and Southern Africa, aiming to reduce shipping costs and improve access to regional markets for Nigerian exporters.

The initiative extends Nigeria’s existing collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which began in 2025 through a partnership with Uganda Airlines.

According to the ministry, the expanded corridor now includes Kigali, Harare, and Lusaka as new export destinations, while also providing Nigerian businesses with a second airline option on the Nairobi and Johannesburg routes.

Cargo rates under the RwandAir arrangement are set at below $2 per kilogram across all five destinations, a significant reduction from previous rates that ranged between $3 and $10 per kilogram.

The ministry said the high cost of logistics had previously limited Nigerian exporters’ competitiveness in African markets, but the new agreement is expected to improve trade volumes and pricing efficiency.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the partnership demonstrates the government’s commitment to making AfCFTA work in practical terms for Nigerian businesses.

She noted that Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets increased from $150 million in 2024 to $207 million in 2025, attributing the growth to improved trade facilitation and logistics support.

The RwandAir partnership is expected to be formally launched in June 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional trade integration and expand Nigeria’s export reach across Africa.