● As experts hint that Nigeria gives immense value with travel-eager population
By Justina Okpanku
Just days after Nigeria received kudos for its aviation successes at the 21st edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Air Tanzania launched direct flights to Lagos marking a new chapter in Nigeria-Tanzania relations.
The new effort is a nod to the African aviation experts’ verdict. The aviation industry insiders who came together during the just-concluded Akwaaba African Travel Market, a tourism exhibition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, were insisting there are tremendous gains for Africa in seamless air connectivity.
The representatives of
African airlines among them said the Nigerian market and the transformative power of liberalized visa policies have played a pivotal role in their continental expansion and success.
In an interview with reporters at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market, representatives of the airlines commented on Nigeria’s immense value,
citing its large, travel-eager population as a cornerstone of their West African operations.
Sales Director for Africa, TAAG Angola, George Mawadri, described Nigeria as a “huge aviation market” and a “very pivotal market within Africa for any airline.”
This is not unconnected
in the airline’s rapid growth, having increased its frequencies into Lagos from two to four weekly flights and still hoping on adding more frequencies.
Mawadri said the prosperous market ( Nigeria) effectively feeds passengers not only to Angola but also to key connecting destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lisbon and Sao Paulo.
He hinted that plans are underway to open a route to Guangzhou, China, a destination he acknowledged is a “huge market for Nigerians as well, especially the traders.”
The theme discussed by airlines was the profound impact of visa-free travel on boosting tourism and simplifying connectivity.
RwandAir’s Regional Manager for West and Central Africa, Ginette Kadigiri, said Nigeria was an “obvious choice” for the airline when it began operations in 2011.
Interestingly, Kadigiri attributed this toNigeria’s inherent “culture of travelling a lot,” which has sustained daily flights out of Lagos.
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Kadigiri mentioned that Nigerian travellers have shown great appreciation for the airline’s service, particularly the recent upgrade to a comfortable Airbus aircraft on the route.
The RwandAir’s Regional Manager explained that Rwanda’s policy of offering visas on arrival to all African nationals has been a game-changer.
“It’s just a matter of saying, let me book a ticket, and you’re on your way to Kigali.”
She added that the swift process at the airport has led to a “huge increase in the number of tourists” discovering Rwanda.
In the save vein, TAAG Angola Sales Director, detailed Angola’s recent move to grant visa-free access to nearly 100 nationalities, a policy that significantly enhances its appeal.
He stressed that travellers connecting through Luanda to other destinations do not require a transit visa, removing a significant barrier and streamlining journeys to Southern Africa and beyond.
The airlines also shared their ambitious modernization and hub-development strategies.
Mawadri said TAAG Angola is undergoing a significant “transformational moment.”
The airline is bolstering its fleet with an order for 15 Airbus A220s and four Dreamliners aiming to establish Luanda as a major African hub.
It is gathered that the
vision is supported by a brand-new airport with a capacity for 15 million passengers into which all flights will be consolidated from October 1st, 2025.
RwandAir , it is gathered, continues to leverage its Kigali hub, connecting Nigeria to over 20 destinations directly and 120 through its codeshare partners, solidifying its network across the continent and globally.
The Chief Executive Officer of Air Tanzania, Peter Ulanga, had outlined the vast economic and business opportunities Nigeria can harness with the launch of direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital.
Speaking at the recent inauguration of the East African carrier’s entry into Nigeria, Ulanga said the new air link will boost trade, tourism and cultural exchange while supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Ulanga noted that the connectivity would create new trade flows, such as Nigerian yams reaching Tanzanian markets and Tanzanian coffee entering Nigeria, ultimately driving commerce.
The 2025 Akwaaba African Travel took place from September 14 to September 16 at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos
The organisers of the event said Akwaaba African Travel Market is more ore than just a market, saying that Akwaaba African Travel Market is steadily transforming Lagos into Africa’s premier tourism and business hub.
The annual tourism exhibition organised by a leading Nigerian tour operator, Ikechi Uko has attracted global and regional players, riding on the surge of domestic tourism that is fueling billion-naira hotel revenues, creating jobs, and stimulating investment in hospitality infrastructure.
It is believed that the event is increasing opportunities for African airlines and destinations and positioning Lagos not only as a gateway to Nigeria’s 200-million-strong market but also as a hub for continental connectivity, cultural exchange and economic growth.
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