Nigeria has entered into a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil, setting the stage for the first direct passenger and cargo flights between both countries.
The move is aimed at enhancing trade relations, expanding investment opportunities, and strengthening diplomatic engagement between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s biggest market.
The agreement was signed in Brasília on Monday during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil. Nigeria’s Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Transport Minister, Silvio Costa Filho, executed the deal in the presence of both Presidents.
With this agreement, airlines from Nigeria and Brazil will be able to operate non-stop flights between Lagos, Abuja, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
The arrangement eliminates the need for connections through Europe or the Middle East, significantly reducing travel time and costs for passengers and businesses.
Analysts note that direct connectivity between the two countries could unlock new trade volumes in agriculture, energy, and manufactured goods. Nigeria, which has been seeking new export markets and stronger South-South cooperation, is expected to benefit from easier access to Brazil’s consumer base of more than 200 million people.
For Brazil, the deal strengthens its strategic footprint in Africa, particularly in aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure partnerships.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed that the agreement aligns with his administration’s broader goal of deepening ties with Nigeria across multiple sectors.
The initiative is also expected to stimulate tourism and business travel, improve cultural exchanges, and expand cooperation between government agencies and private sector stakeholders in both countries.
Negotiations on the agreement began in late 2024, with Monday’s signing formalizing the framework for airlines to begin operations once regulatory clearances are completed.
Industry observers anticipate the first direct flights could commence within months, depending on bilateral technical approvals.
The Nigeria–Brazil BASA underscores a shift in Nigeria’s aviation diplomacy, aimed at positioning Lagos and Abuja as regional hubs while building stronger transport and trade corridors with key global partners.