Nigeria launches Air cargo to East, Southern Africa

By Mustapha Adamu

The federal government has revealed that it has launched an Export Air Cargo Corridor to East and Southern Africa, as part of its participation in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) deal.
Speaking at the AfCFTA P3 Sub national Engagement for the North-West geopolitical zone in Kano on Monday, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole disclosed that the air cargo operation had reduced logistics costs by between 50 to 75 percent.
According to her, that had significantly improved competitiveness for Nigerian exporters.
She added that Nigeria had also developed market intelligence tools and conducted national mapping of digital service providers to support market access across priority African economies, adding that the government had also and followed this up with the hosting of a Roundtable for Digital Trade Regulators across 5 countries.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand value-added exports and deepen intra-African trade.
Oduwole explained that Nigeria’s participation in the Agreement was both strategic and imperative, noting that the country has recorded measurable progress since ratifying the AfCFTA in 2020.
She highlighted key milestones including the inauguration of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee, gazetting of tariff concessions, designation as co-champion of Digital Trade, and the launch of an Export Air Cargo Corridor to East and Southern Africa which has reduced logistics costs by up to 75 percent.
According to her, the Kano engagement represents a shift from policy awareness to practical implementation, with initiatives such as the “One Local Government, One Export Product” scheme, on-site regulatory services for exporters, and live simulations of export procedures.
Oduwole stressed that intra-African trade currently accounts for less than 20 percent of Africa’s total trade, compared to over 60 percent in Europe and Asia, stressing Nigeria’s objective to increase its share by transitioning from raw commodities to value-added goods and services.
She explained that the Public, Private, and Press (P3) framework adopted in Kano was designed to simplify AfCFTA processes, localize information, and deliver practical support directly to exporters, including MSMEs, women-led enterprises, and informal sector operators.
The Minister added that the Kano pilot would serve as proof-of-concept for nationwide implementation across all six geopolitical zones, positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for industrialization, job creation, and economic transformation under the AfCFTA.
Earlier, the permanent secretary, federal ministry of industry, trade and investment, Dr. Chris Osa, commended the Kano State Government for hosting the initiative, noting the state’s historic role as a hub of commerce and cross-border trade.
He also acknowledged the participation of governors and delegates from Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, stressing that the success of trade policy depends on effective subnational implementation.
He described the AfCFTA as a transformative opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy, expand non-oil exports, and strengthen regional value chains.
The National Coordinator AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in driving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that the Agreement must translate into real opportunities for businesses across the country.
The coordinator commended the Kano State Government for hosting the pilot initiative, noting the city’s historic role as a hub of commerce and cross-border trade.
She said the AfCFTA offers Nigerian enterprises from large corporations to small traders access to a $3.4 trillion market of 1.4 billion people, with the potential to shift Nigeria’s narrative from exporting raw materials to value-added goods and services.
Okala explained that the Kano engagement was designed to handhold businesses through AfCFTA processes, simplify trade procedures, and connect Nigerian suppliers with buyers across Africa.
She announced the launch of AfCFTA simplification tools “The ABC Series of Doing Business under AfCFTA” published in English, Hausa, and Arabic to ensure inclusivity.
In his remarks, the Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, described Kano as Africa’s historic commercial hub and a natural gateway for continental trade.

Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk-Ibrahim, said Kano was ready to fully key into AfCFTA opportunities through industrialisation, logistics expansion and SME development.

“AFCFTA must work for the trader in our markets, the processor in our industries and the youth in our ICT hubs,” he said