The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has officially inaugurated the first-ever Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo corridor.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a major milestone in boosting regional trade, facilitating seamless movement of goods, and advancing economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship continental agreement designed to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.
During the high-profile commissioning ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that the launch of this air cargo corridor represents a strategic breakthrough for Nigeria and the continent at large.
He highlighted that the initiative is fully aligned with the broader economic vision articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to stimulate economic growth, diversify trade, and position Nigeria as a continental trade leader.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi framed the launch as far more than a mere symbolic event, stressing that it opens up a gateway to a host of new economic opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs, exporters, and industries.
It serves as concrete proof that Nigeria is not only prepared but also eager to spearhead Africa’s economic transformation through enhanced trade facilitation and cross-border cooperation.
According to him, the corridor signals a future where increased trade volumes will drive innovation, job creation, technology adoption, and inclusive prosperity across the continent.
In demonstrating NCS’s active role in supporting the corridor, Adeniyi revealed several innovative instruments and reforms the Customs Service has introduced to simplify and accelerate trade processes.
These include the issuance of AfCFTA Certificates of Origin—key documents that enable exporters to benefit from preferential tariffs under the AfCFTA agreement—and the digitalization of export documentation and clearance procedures.
Additionally, the Customs Service has established specialized AfCFTA units within its various commands to provide focused support to exporters and facilitate smoother customs operations linked to intra-African trade.
Adeniyi also praised the seamless cooperation between multiple government agencies, highlighting the critical role of inter-agency synergy in bringing the corridor from concept to reality.
He called on other regional airlines, cargo handlers, and logistics operators to emulate this model, not just in air freight but also across maritime, road, and rail transport corridors. His vision is that this initiative serves as a replicable blueprint for creating interconnected trade networks that link seaports, airports, and border crossings, thereby strengthening Africa’s transport infrastructure and trade ecosystem.
The Customs chief further acknowledged the contributions of various development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other logistics stakeholders whose expertise and professionalism were vital in ensuring the corridor’s successful launch.
He underscored that the corridor symbolizes more than just a trade route; it represents a future filled with innovation, enhanced employment prospects, technological progress, and economic inclusion for millions of Africans.
Echoing these sentiments, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olubunmi Tunji-Oduwole, described the air cargo corridor as a practical policy instrument aimed at fast-tracking Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through increased export trade.
She stressed that the government is moving beyond rhetoric on diversification by taking tangible steps to empower exporters and expand Nigeria’s footprint in regional and continental markets.
A key highlight of the initiative is the negotiated 50% reduction in freight rates for goods transported along this corridor, which is expected to significantly reduce the cost of exports and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products in East and Southern African markets.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian businesses in scaling up value-added production and expanding market access by leveraging the opportunities created under the AfCFTA framework.
The ceremonial handover of Nigerian export cargo to Uganda Airlines symbolized the operational commencement of the air cargo corridor. Patrick Ziwa, the Country Manager of Uganda Airlines, personally received the shipment, lauding Nigeria’s pioneering role in air cargo innovation across Africa. He emphasized that this initiative sends a powerful message to other African nations: regional trade integration is not a distant aspiration but an active, ongoing reality.
Following the cargo handover, AfCFTA Certificates of Origin were issued to a select group of compliant Nigerian exporters. These certificates are crucial in enabling exporters to benefit from preferential tariff regimes negotiated under the AfCFTA, facilitating easier and more cost-effective market access into East and Southern African countries.
This process reinforces the corridor’s role in not only physically connecting markets but also removing bureaucratic and tariff barriers that have historically impeded intra-African trade.
The launch of the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor signifies a transformative step towards deeper economic integration, increased trade volume, and enhanced regional cooperation within Africa.
It sets a precedent for future corridor developments and reaffirms Nigeria’s position as a leader in driving the continent’s economic transformation through practical trade initiatives and robust partnerships.