Nigeria and Tanzania are set to improve their relationship as both countries begin moves to launch direct flights that will link the two nations by air.
This was made known after a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and a delegation from the Tanzania High Commission led by the Head of Chancery, Mrs. Judica Nagunwa. The meeting was held in Abuja as part of efforts to boost trade, tourism, and diplomatic ties between the two African countries.
In a statement released on Sunday by Mr. Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, it was confirmed that Air Tanzania is seeking to begin direct flights from Tanzania to Nigeria. The proposal was discussed during the visit of the Tanzanian delegation to the minister’s office.
According to the statement, the Tanzanian envoy said that the government of Tanzania is committed to strengthening its bilateral ties with Nigeria, especially in the area of air transport. Mrs. Nagunwa explained that direct flights would make travel easier and also increase business, cultural exchange, and tourism between the two countries.
She also said that the Tanzanian government is fully ready to work with Nigerian authorities to make the plan a reality. She said opening the air route will help bring the people of both countries closer and boost cooperation on different levels.
Responding to the proposal, Mr. Keyamo said the Nigerian government supports the idea of direct flights and is ready to work with Tanzania to ensure all the needed processes are completed. He noted that the request would be processed in line with Nigeria’s existing bilateral air service agreements and aviation standards.
Mr. Keyamo said that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government is committed to developing the aviation sector and making Nigeria a major player in African air travel. He also added that improving air connectivity across Africa is part of Nigeria’s wider strategy to promote regional integration and open up trade routes across the continent.
Mr. Moshood, the minister’s aide, added that both sides ended the meeting with a joint agreement to keep in touch regularly and speed up the approval process. He said that once all the paperwork and operational plans are completed, Air Tanzania would begin flights into Nigeria.
The new flight route is expected to benefit businessmen, tourists, and students travelling between East and West Africa. It will also help reduce travel time and create more options for passengers who currently have to go through other countries before getting to Tanzania or Nigeria.
This development is coming at a time when African countries are pushing for more cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Experts believe that improving flight connections between African countries is one of the key ways to increase trade and reduce dependency on non-African routes.
At the end of the meeting, both delegations expressed hope that the plan would be implemented soon and called for support from all relevant agencies to ensure smooth operation of the flight route when launched
