Nigeria, Customs Launch East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Trade Corridor

…Aims to Cut Export Costs by 50% Under AfCFTA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor—an initiative poised to transform regional trade and accelerate Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The historic flag-off took place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and was attended by key government and industry leaders.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, led the launch alongside representatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

In his keynote, CGC Adeniyi described the corridor as a “gateway to new opportunities” and a strategic alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted that Nigerian exports reached ₦136.65 trillion in 2024—a 219.5% increase from 2023—with Q1 2025 exports already surging by 349% year-on-year.

To support the corridor’s success, Customs has rolled out key initiatives such as issuing AfCFTA Certificates of Origin, digitalizing export processes, and establishing dedicated AfCFTA units in Customs commands nationwide.

Adeniyi called on regional airlines and cargo operators to replicate the model across land, sea, and rail to enhance continental trade connectivity. “This corridor is not just a route—it’s a model for Africa’s integrated future,” he said.

Dr. Oduwole emphasized the corridor's role in economic diversification, noting that a newly secured 50% reduction in freight costs would directly benefit Nigerian exporters.

“We are moving from policy to practice. This is how we scale exports and grow our economy under AfCFTA,” she stated.

The event culminated with a symbolic cargo handover to Uganda Airlines, marking the operational start of the corridor. The airline’s Country Manager, Patrick Ziwa, praised Nigeria’s leadership in regional trade innovation.

Following the departure, compliant exporters received AfCFTA Certificates of Origin—qualifying them for preferential tariffs across East and Southern Africa.