Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bold step to cement its leadership in African trade under the $3.4 trillion African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, Nigeria has launched a cutting-edge Market Intelligence Tool and a dedicated East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Uganda Airlines.
The twin initiatives, unveiled at the Bank of Industry headquarters in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, are designed to drastically cut logistics costs and empower Nigerian exporters, particularly women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises, MSMEs, with real-time trade data across 13 African markets.
The Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Market Intelligence Tool provides granular data on tariffs, trade flows, product demand, regulatory requirements, and buyer profiles, enabling Nigerian exporters to target high-growth sectors such as agribusiness, cosmetics, and textiles with surgical precision.
Speaking, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said “With this launch, Nigeria is moving from ambition to execution. The success of this initiative will not be measured by applause, but by increased exports, expanded businesses, and transformed lives.
“This tool empowers Nigerian businesses to trade smarter. Exporters can now make data-driven decisions that reduce risk and increase profit. And with a fast, affordable air cargo route in place, we’re removing the physical barriers to market entry.” Oduwole said.
The cargo corridor, established in collaboration with Uganda Airlines and UND, offers exporters up to 75% savings in freight costs, along with guaranteed delivery timelines to key logistics hubs in Nairobi, Entebbe, and Johannesburg.
Scheduled flights and dedicated cargo support will allow Nigerian goods to reach regional markets faster and more reliably than ever.
“This is not just a flight path, it’s a fast lane for Nigerian enterprise,” said Mr. Patrick Ziwa, Cargo Manager for Uganda Airlines, adding that the corridor was created “to meet the rising demand for seamless intra-African trade.”
The launch comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to operationalise its AfCFTA strategy, following a five-year review by the AfCFTA National Coordination Office, which called for more coherence in trade facilitation, productive capacity, and policy reforms.
“Nigeria is ready to lead Africa’s trade renaissance. By linking data with delivery, this initiative transforms raw trade statistics into real economic opportunities,” said Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,
Also, Dr. Ify Ogo, UNDP Trade Expert, described the intelligence platform as a critical tool to expand Nigeria’s services trade schedule under AfCFTA. “This is about connecting ambition with infrastructure, both digital and physical.”
Women-led MSMEs, long marginalised in trade policy, stand to benefit significantly as Dr. Weyinmi Eribo, representing the West and Central African Women in Mining and Manufacturing Association, WCCIMMA, said the tool will give “visibility, dignity, and profitability” to female entrepreneurs.
“This marks a turning point for African women in trade. We now have access, insights, and logistics, all in one ecosystem,” Eribo said.
For her part, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, highlighted that Nigeria’s non-oil exports are on the rise and will be further accelerated by these interventions.
“From potential to performance, that is the story we’re writing,” she said.
UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative Ms. Elsie Attafuah, called the market tool a “game-changer,” adding that the combination of digital intelligence and logistics coordination represents a new model for inclusive, sustainable growth.
“Nigeria is demonstrating what AfCFTA-ready looks like: data-driven, gender-conscious, and logistics-empowered,” Attafuah said.
