LocationsNigeria Opens Eastern/Southern Africa Corridor with Uganda Airlines to Boost Regional Trade
May 25, 2025
The launch event, which held at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, marked the formal departure of consolidated shipments from five exporters to Kenya and Uganda.
Abuja, 25 May 2025 - Nigeria has launched its first intra-African air cargo corridor to East and Southern Africa in partnership with Uganda Airlines - marking a major milestone in operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expanding market access for Nigerian exporters.
The new route, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), is the outcome of months of technical discussions to address long-standing logistics challenges facing Nigerian businesses. With support from the government agencies and Organised Private Sector (OPS), UNDP facilitated the negotiations between Uganda Airlines and Nigerian business associations to explore a practical, cost-effective trade link.
The result is a dedicated West–East/Southern Africa air corridor—anchored in Abuja and Lagos and now offering discounted, consolidated cargo services to Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. Freight rates have been reduced by as much as 50% in some instances, directly addressing prohibitive costs and delivery delays that have limited the competitiveness of Nigerian goods across the continent.
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, jointly presided over the launch.
The corridor was formally launched during a flag-off ceremony at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, attended by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative; and representatives from Uganda Airlines, government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps and the private sector.
The first shipment included exports from five MSMEs in cosmetics, agro-processing, and fashion. These entrepreneurs expressed strong optimism about the new corridor. “This gives us a real chance to be visible in other African markets,” shared one exporter. Another noted, “Being able to deliver faster, at half the cost, changes everything. We can now think bigger.”
UNDP’s Elsie Attafuah emphasized the transformational potential of this initiative:
“This corridor is one of great opportunity. It connects our entrepreneurs to new markets, unlocks jobs, and brings the AfCFTA to life in a practical, inclusive way. UNDP is proud to have helped make this possible.”
The Nigeria–East/Southern Africa air cargo corridor is a blueprint for rethinking trade logistics across Africa. It stands as a bold example of how public-private partnerships, supported by strategic development actors, can accelerate regional integration and drive real benefits for small businesses.
For programme enquiries, contact:
Edith-Casely Fordjoe
Programme Analyst – Inclusive Growth
edith-casely.fordjoe @undp.org
For media enquiries, contact:
Christabel Chanda-Ginsberg
Public Engagement Outreach and Partnerships Lead
christabel.chanda-ginsberg@undp.org
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