NIGERIA has strengthened its trading links with Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa. This follows the official launch of an African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) air corridor that aims to boost intra-African trade to key African markets.
The announcement made on Sunday, May 25, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, via her X handle disclosed that the official launch was supported with logistics cost cuts for Nigerian exporters of between 50 per cent and 75 per cent.
She noted that the new corridor, which will operate via Uganda Airlines, is part of a broader effort to matchmake businesses among the countries, adding that, “it will help in unlocking easier access for Nigerian businesses by significantly reducing transportation barriers and costs.”
“On Africa Day, we launch a bold new air corridor linking Nigerian goods to AfCFTA markets – via Uganda Airlines – cutting logistics costs by 50–75 per cent. This opens access to Uganda, Kenya and South Africa,” Oduwole’s statement read in part.
The Minister notes that the corridor is expected to support the export of products like textiles, cosmetics, and agro-products, helping Nigerian businesses grow.
The ICIR reports that the launch significantly lowers logistics costs, while ensuring that export products are more competitive and profitable for exporters to expand their base across the continent.
The announcement also confirmed that AfCFTA tariffs have now been officially gazetted, unlocking lower tariff rates for Nigerian exporters and further boosting trade opportunities under the agreement.
Notably, the AfCFTA is a landmark agreement creating a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting intra-African trade and economic integration.
In April 2025, Nigeria officially gazetted and transmitted its ECOWAS Tariff Schedule for Trade in Goods to the AfCFTA Secretariat, enabling zero duties on 90 per cent of goods traded under the agreement.
This positions Nigerian exporters for improved market access and greater competitiveness across African markets.
Nigeria’s trade with South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda involves various goods, particularly with the launch of AfCTA. Economic watchers say Nigeria’s textiles, cosmetics, agro-products, and fashion accessories are key export products that will benefit from the air corridor agreement.
“This is great news for intra-African trade and ensuring that Nigeria accesses more of the $3.3 billion market share in AfCTA,”a development economist, Celestine Okeke said in response to the air corridor launch.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier in the year highlighted Nigeria’s role as Africa’s Digital Trade Champion, which could create over 10 million new jobs across the continent by the end of 2025. The AfCFTA digital trade protocol aims to increase intra-African trade from 18 per cent in 2022 to 50 per cent by 2030.
The air corridor, launch supports exports of textiles, cosmetics, and agro-products, and builds on Nigeria’s growing leadership in AfCFTA implementation, including advancing digital trade to support small and medium enterprises and technology.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.