Nigeria Customs, Trade & Investment Ministry Launch Cargo Corridor

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, have launched an air cargo corridor aimed at deepening regional integration.

The inaugural Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, is also considered a significant step towards enhancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiatives.

Speaking at the   commissioning ceremony,   Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the launch aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This is more than a ceremonial handover; it is a gateway to new opportunities for Nigerian businesses and proof that we are ready to lead Africa’s economic transformation through trade.

“This corridor must not stand alone. It is a template for future trade networks connecting seaports, airports, and borders for the prosperity of our people,” he admonished.

Adewale Adeniyi added that the air cargo corridor also underscores the leadership of Nigeria Customs in AfCFTA, adding that the Nigeria Customs had introduced several enabling instruments in pursuit of its mandate.

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The initiatives, according to him, included digitalising export processes, issuance of AfCFTA Certificates of Origin, and creating dedicated AfCFTA units across Customs commands.

Commending the inter-agency collaboration that birthed the corridor, Adeniyi urged other regional airlines and cargo operators to replicate the model across maritime, road, and rail routes.

He also commended development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FAAN, and all logistics stakeholders, for their professionalism and support in executing the corridor.

“As we flag off this strategic route, we are flagging off a future of innovation, jobs, technology, and inclusive prosperity for the African continent,” Adeniyi stated.