The Government of Canada has expanded its air transport agreement with Nigeria, paving the way for direct flights between the two countries for the first time and strengthening travel, trade and investment links between Canada and one of Africa’s largest economies.
Announced by Canada’s Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Steven MacKinnon, the expanded agreement will allow both countries to designate multiple airlines to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services. Airlines from each country will have a capacity allowance of up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights.
The agreement also introduces fifth freedom rights for all-cargo flights, giving eligible airlines greater flexibility to transport goods between two foreign countries when the flight begins or ends in their home country. The move is expected to create more opportunities for businesses, improve the movement of goods and make international travel between Canada and Nigeria more convenient.
Canadian officials said the expansion reflects the growing economic and people-to-people relationship between both countries. Nigeria, with a population of more than 237 million and a rapidly growing entrepreneurial sector, has become an increasingly important market for Canada. More than 25,000 Nigerians held Canadian study permits as of March 31, 2026, further highlighting the strong connections between the two countries.
The Canada-Nigeria air transport agreement was originally negotiated in 2014 and signed in March 2025, with the latest development marking its first expansion since 2014. Nigeria was Canada’s 38th-largest international air transport market in 2025 and its third-largest bilateral air market in Africa, behind Morocco and Algeria. With the market more than doubling over the past decade, the expanded agreement is expected to bring families, travelers and businesses closer while supporting Canada’s efforts to diversify trade and strengthen its presence in Africa.
