By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has officially commissioned the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, marking a significant milestone in regional trade facilitation and economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The historic flag-off ceremony, which took place on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was attended by key government officials, stakeholders in the aviation and logistics sectors, and development partners.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the launch as a transformative achievement that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He emphasized that the new air cargo corridor is not merely a symbolic gesture, but a strategic initiative to unlock unprecedented trade opportunities for Nigerian exporters and to position the country at the forefront of Africa’s economic evolution. “This is more than a ceremonial handover; it is a gateway to new opportunities for Nigerian businesses and proof that we are ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation through trade,” he stated.
Highlighting the Service’s recent achievements, the CGC disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service facilitated exports valued at ₦136.65 trillion in 2024, reflecting a 219.5% increase from the previous year. He further revealed that the first quarter of 2025 has already recorded a 349% growth in exports compared to the same period in 2024, a clear indication of Nigeria’s strengthening role in intra-African trade. Adeniyi noted that Customs has introduced several strategic instruments to support the corridor’s operations, including the issuance of AfCFTA Certificates of Origin, the digitalization of export clearance processes, and the establishment of dedicated AfCFTA units across its commands nationwide.
The CGC commended the multi-agency collaboration that led to the successful creation of the corridor, particularly lauding the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other logistics partners for their commitment and technical support. “This corridor must not stand alone. It is a template for future trade networks connecting seaports, airports, and borders for the prosperity of our people,” he said, while calling on other cargo operators and regional airlines to replicate the model across the continent’s multimodal transport systems.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, praised the initiative as a concrete demonstration of the government’s resolve to diversify the economy through export-led growth. She highlighted the negotiated 50% reduction in freight rates as a major relief for exporters and a step towards improving competitiveness in African markets. “We are not just talking diversification, we are implementing it. Today’s launch signifies a turning point for our exporters,” she remarked, assuring that the Ministry will continue to support Nigerian businesses in scaling up value-added production and accessing markets under the AfCFTA platform.
The event’s climax was the ceremonial loading and handover of Nigerian export cargo to Uganda Airlines, symbolizing the operationalization of the corridor. Uganda Airlines Country Manager, Mr. Patrick Ziwa, received the consignment, hailing Nigeria’s leadership in driving intra-African air cargo connectivity. “This is a strong statement by Nigeria to other African nations that regional trade is not just a vision it is already in motion,” he declared.
AfCFTA Certificates of Origin were subsequently issued to a cohort of compliant Nigerian exporters, granting them access to preferential tariff regimes in East and Southern African markets. In her remarks, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, Director of Commercial and Business Development at FAAN, who represented the Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, reaffirmed FAAN’s support for export-oriented policies. “FAAN, under the leadership of Mrs. Kuku, is fully aligned with the national export strategy and will continue to make our airports key enablers of economic development,” she said.
The Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor is expected to serve as a cornerstone for regional logistics infrastructure, providing Nigerian exporters particularly SMEs with faster, more reliable access to African markets and helping to actualize the broader objectives of the AfCFTA in promoting industrialization, job creation, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
