Nigeria Launches AfCFTA Air Corridor to Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, Cutting Export Costs by Up to 75%

In a major step toward boosting intra-African trade, Nigeria has launched an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) air corridor connecting it to Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. The initiative is expected to reduce logistics costs for Nigerian exporters by up to 75 percent, enhancing market access for local businesses.

The announcement was made by Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, via her official X account. She noted the corridor will be operated in partnership with Uganda Airlines, marking a strategic move to strengthen regional trade ties.

“This corridor is part of our broader strategy to connect Nigerian goods more efficiently to AfCFTA markets,” Oduwole said. “By significantly reducing transportation barriers and costs, we’re making it easier – and more profitable – for our exporters to scale across the continent.”

The corridor is expected to facilitate the export of textiles, cosmetics, and agro-based products, providing a much-needed boost to local manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

At the same time, the Ministry confirmed that AfCFTA tariffs have been officially gazetted, enabling reduced duty rates and expanded trade opportunities for Nigerian exporters.

Nigeria continues to play a leading role in advancing AfCFTA. In April 2025, the country transmitted its ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Tariff Schedule for Trade in Goods to the AfCFTA Secretariat, enabling zero duties on 90 percent of traded items. These reductions are being phased in over a 10-year period, with Nigeria already applying a 50 percent tariff cut on goods traded with African least-developed countries by 2025.

The new air corridor underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping pan-African trade policy while supporting SMEs and tech-driven exporters through digital trade innovations.