{"id":11924,"date":"2026-11-07T15:15:50","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T15:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/nigeria-deepens-afcfta-push-with-three-year-rwanda-cargo-deal-businessday-ng\/"},"modified":"2026-11-07T15:15:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T15:15:50","slug":"nigeria-deepens-afcfta-push-with-three-year-rwanda-cargo-deal-businessday-ng","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/07\/nigeria-deepens-afcfta-push-with-three-year-rwanda-cargo-deal-businessday-ng\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria deepens AfCFTA push with three-year Rwanda cargo deal – Businessday NG"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nigeria is seeking to reduce the cost of exporting goods to African markets through a three-year cargo agreement with Rwanda that will give local businesses access to lower freight rates across five destinations in East and Southern Africa.\n<\/p>\n

RwandAir and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment signed a three-year operational roadmap for the Nigeria\u2013East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor at CANEX WKND 2026 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos on Friday.\n<\/p>\n

The corridor connects Lagos to five destinations: Kigali, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Harare, and Lusaka, with cargo rates ranging from $1.20 to $1.90 per kilogram.\n<\/p>\n

Ginette Kadagiri, RwandAir\u2019s regional manager for West and Central Africa, told BusinessDay that lower freight costs could make exporting viable for businesses that had previously focused only on the domestic market.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cBy making cargo transportation more affordable, you are enabling exporters to explore markets beyond Nigeria,\u201d Kadagiri said, adding that access to more customers would also encourage local producers to improve their products and innovate.<\/p>\n

Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, said many Nigerian exporters previously paid between $3 and $10 per kilogram to ship goods to other African markets, making their products less competitive and discouraging exports.\n<\/p>\n

The corridor\u2019s rates vary by destination and shipment size. Shipping to Kigali costs $1.40 per kilogram for consignments below 1,000kg and $1.20 for larger shipments. Rates to Johannesburg range from $1.70 to $1.90 per kilogram, while Nairobi, Lusaka, and Harare cost between $1.50 and $1.80.\n<\/p>\n

The rates do not cover the full cost of shipping. Exporters are also liable for applicable minimum charges, a $15 air waybill fee, cargo handling, clearance, and other statutory charges. They must obtain an AfCFTA Certificate of Origin from the Nigeria Customs Service to qualify for the arrangement.\n<\/p>\n

The first shipment under the corridor departed on June 19, 2026, with nine exporters sending goods to four destinations. Oduwole said the arrangement had completed a four-month pilot phase, while Rwanda\u2019s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Moses Rugema, said close to 20 shipments had been made. The total volume and value of goods transported have not been disclosed.\n<\/p>\n

Under the three-year roadmap, Nigeria and Rwanda will work together to explore mutually beneficial cargo rates and address distribution challenges through government-to-government engagement. The ministry also plans to include Rwanda, where possible, in AfCFTA capacity-building programmes for Nigerian exporters.<\/p>\n

Oduwole said the partnership was part of efforts to turn the continental trade agreement into practical opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Nigeria\u2019s non-oil exports reached $6.1 billion in 2025, an 11.5 percent increase from 2024, according to the minister.\n<\/p>\n

The government says it wants to sustain export growth by addressing logistics costs, market access, and export financing. But the corridor\u2019s contribution will depend on whether the reduced freight rates translate into lower overall shipping costs and sustained growth in the volume of Nigerian goods reaching African markets.<\/p>\n

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Related News<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAyomide Odunlami<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ayomide Odunlami is a Tax Reporter at BusinessDay, covering Nigeria\u2019s tax reforms, compliance trends, and government revenue strategies. She reports on how evolving tax policies affect businesses, investors, and the broader economy, providing clarity on complex regulatory issues through data-driven journalism.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Businessday NG<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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