The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, have officially launched RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route.
The launch, which took place on Friday, marks a major step in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen intra-African trade and enhance economic integration across the continent.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Aviation Minister, Tunde Moshood, the new cargo service is expected to create fresh opportunities for Nigerian exporters by providing direct access to markets in East and Southern Africa while improving regional supply chains and facilitating continental commerce.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Keyamo described the initiative as a strategic move aimed at unlocking Africa’s trade potential through improved air connectivity and efficient logistics networks.
“We’re here with some of our exporters; this is where aviation interlines with trade and investment. This is in pursuit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote trade and investment across Africa,” he said.
The minister explained that the project aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, which seeks to increase trade among African countries by reducing barriers and improving market access.
According to him, the growth of African trade depends largely on improved transportation links across the continent.
“You cannot transform African trade without connecting Africa first,” Keyamo stated.
He noted that the successful launch of the cargo route reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning the aviation sector as a key driver of economic growth, industrial expansion, trade facilitation and regional integration.
Keyamo further highlighted the importance of the Single African Air Transport Market, SAATM, an initiative designed to liberalise air transport services across Africa and eliminate restrictions that have historically limited connectivity among African nations.
The minister recently advocated for stronger implementation of SAATM during the African Air Transport Expo in Lomé, where he urged African governments to embrace open skies policies and improve market access to accelerate economic development.
The Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Route is expected to offer faster, more reliable and efficient logistics services for businesses operating in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and other non-oil export industries.
Stakeholders believe the new route will help reduce transportation bottlenecks, expand market opportunities for exporters and contribute to higher trade volumes across the continent.
The launch ceremony attracted government officials, exporters, aviation industry players, trade representatives and RwandaAir executives, all of whom expressed support for efforts aimed at building a more connected and economically integrated Africa through improved aviation infrastructure and services.
