…Target 50% export price reduction as trade under AfCFTA advances
From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
In a landmark move to deepen regional trade integration, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment have jointly launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor.
The initiative, flagged off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is set to significantly reduce export costs and strengthen Nigeria’s leadership under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The event drew top government and aviation stakeholders, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi; and Ms. Adebola Agunbiade of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), representing the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku.
In his keynote, CGC Adeniyi described the corridor as a “gateway to new opportunities” and a major alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “This is more than a ceremonial handover,” Adeniyi stated. “It is a practical gateway that opens new economic opportunities for Nigerian exporters, showing that Nigeria is ready to lead Africa’s trade transformation.”
He revealed that Nigerian exports facilitated by Customs reached ₦136.65 trillion in 2024—marking a 219.5% increase over the previous year—with Q1 2025 alone seeing a 349% surge. Adeniyi credited part of this success to Customs’ reforms, including the issuance of AfCFTA Certificates of Origin, full digitalisation of export processes, and the establishment of dedicated AfCFTA units within Customs commands.
Adeniyi emphasized that the corridor should serve as a model for broader multimodal trade routes. “This corridor must not stand alone. It is a template for future trade networks connecting our seaports, airports, and land borders,” he said.
Minister Oduwole hailed the air cargo corridor as a “turning point” for Nigerian exporters. “This initiative is a concrete step in our journey toward economic diversification,” she said. “With the newly negotiated 50% freight rate reduction, Nigerian products will now be more competitive across African markets.”
She assured continued government support for value-added production and export growth under the AfCFTA agreement.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic cargo handover to Uganda Airlines, marking the official start of the corridor’s operations. Uganda Airlines Country Manager, Patrick Ziwa, commended Nigeria’s pioneering role, saying: “This is a bold statement that regional trade is not just a dream — it is happening.”
Following the cargo flag-off, AfCFTA Certificates of Origin were presented to Nigerian exporters, allowing them to benefit from reduced tariffs in East and Southern African markets.
FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms. Adebola Agunbiade, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enabling efficient air cargo services. “Under the leadership of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN is fully aligned with the national export strategy,” she said. “We will continue to ensure our airports serve as engines of economic development.”
The Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor is expected to not only cut logistics costs by up to 50% but also boost intra-African trade, create jobs, enhance technology transfer, and advance inclusive prosperity across the continent.