Nigeria has taken a significant step toward strengthening intra-African trade and air connectivity with the launch of the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route in partnership with RwandAir, a development expected to unlock new trade opportunities across the continent.
The inaugural flag-off ceremony was led by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, alongside the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole. The initiative is being positioned as a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at expanding economic opportunities and enhancing regional integration.
The launch marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve cargo connectivity between West Africa and the eastern and southern regions of the continent, providing exporters and businesses with more efficient access to regional markets.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo emphasized the critical role of air connectivity in driving economic growth and regional trade.
“You cannot transform African trade without connecting Africa first,” the minister stated, highlighting the importance of efficient transportation networks in achieving the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The new cargo route is expected to facilitate faster movement of goods, reduce logistics bottlenecks, and create new opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their footprint across Africa.
As the African Development Bank’s champion for Africa’s $7 billion aviation transformation programme, Keyamo has consistently advocated for policies and initiatives that strengthen air transport connectivity across the continent.
The launch also aligns with ongoing efforts to advance the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a flagship African Union initiative designed to liberalize air transport services and promote seamless movement of passengers and cargo among African countries.
Keyamo recently reiterated his support for SAATM during the African Air Transport Expo held in Lomé, Togo, where he called for greater collaboration among African nations to remove barriers to air connectivity and unlock the full potential of continental trade.
Industry stakeholders believe the new Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route will serve as a strategic trade corridor linking businesses, manufacturers, and exporters to emerging markets across Africa, while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a key logistics and aviation hub on the continent.
The partnership with RwandAir is also expected to deepen commercial ties between Nigeria and countries in East and Southern Africa, supporting broader efforts to boost regional trade, investment, and economic cooperation under the framework of AfCFTA.
With demand for efficient cargo transportation growing across Africa, the new route represents another important step toward building an integrated continental aviation network capable of supporting the continent’s economic transformation ambitions.
