Nigeria has launched a new air cargo corridor in partnership with RwandAir, opening direct export routes from the country to Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare as part of efforts to strengthen regional trade and improve market access for Nigerian exporters across Africa.

The development was announced by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, through a statement shared on her official X account on Monday.

According to the minister, the initiative is designed to expand Nigeria’s air cargo export network while reducing logistics barriers that have continued to limit cross-border trade opportunities for local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

Oduwole explained that the corridor was launched on Africa Day as part of broader efforts to deepen intra-African trade and improve the movement of goods across the continent.

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“Today, on Africa Day, we launch the expansion of the Nigeria-East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor in partnership with RwandAir, giving our exporters affordable, direct access to three new key markets: Kigali, Lusaka, and Harare,” she stated.

The minister disclosed that the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with RwandAir and supported by several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

She explained that the project would provide exporters with more affordable and direct access to regional markets while helping businesses scale operations across the African continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

According to her, the programme builds on earlier pilot shipments involving Nigerian businesses, including women-led enterprises, with the inaugural RwandAir shipment scheduled for mid-June 2026.

Oduwole added that the initiative reflects continued collaboration between African governments and development partners aimed at strengthening regional integration and boosting internal trade across the continent.

The launch of the cargo corridor follows discussions initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum, where bilateral talks focused on trade, mobility, and regional cooperation.

The discussions also led to Nigeria introducing a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan nationals under a reciprocal arrangement aimed at easing travel between both countries after Tinubu’s meeting with President Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali.

According to the Nigeria Immigration Service, all necessary arrangements have been completed for the immediate implementation of the directive across airports, land borders, and seaports nationwide.

Under the policy, Rwandan nationals are now permitted to enter Nigeria without a visa for lawful purposes including tourism, business, and official engagements, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.

Authorities stated that the visa exemption reflects Rwanda’s existing visa-free policy for Nigerian citizens and is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.

Officials further disclosed that discussions between Nigeria and Rwanda also covered pending Memoranda of Understanding relating to tourism, anti-corruption cooperation, and drug trafficking, alongside broader support for the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The new cargo corridor is expected to improve export connectivity for Nigerian businesses while positioning the country as a stronger participant in Africa’s expanding regional trade ecosystem.