MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has taken a major step toward launching direct passenger flights between Dar es Salaam and Lagos after receiving formal clearance from Nigeria’s aviation authorities.
The milestone comes with the issuance of a Foreign Carrier Operation Permit (FCOP), officially presented in Abuja this week.
The permit was handed over at the headquarters of Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Speaking at the ceremony, Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Abubakar Kana—represented by senior official Ahmed Mohammed—said the approval would boost operational efficiency, enhance safety, and deepen cooperation in the aviation sector between the two nations.
Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Selestine Gervas Kakele, hailed the decision as “a gateway to prosperity for all African nations,” adding that the route would bring fresh opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment across the region.
The direct service is expected to significantly cut travel times between the two countries, eliminating the need for lengthy layovers in third destinations. Aviation analysts say the move will also strengthen economic ties, encourage cultural exchange, and position Tanzania as a stronger player in Africa’s growing air travel market.
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Nigeria, home to over 200 million people and a key hub for business in West Africa, represents a high-potential market for Tanzanian exports, tourism promotions, and commercial partnerships. At the same time, Lagos’s busy Murtala Muhammed International Airport will provide Tanzanians with easier access to regional and global destinations.
This latest development aligns with Tanzania’s broader strategy to expand its aviation footprint across Africa. Just last month, the country launched a new route connecting Dar es Salaam with Mogadishu, signaling a commitment to building stronger transport links and unlocking new economic opportunities across the continent.
Industry insiders expect the new Dar–Lagos connection to officially launch once final operational arrangements are completed, with schedules to be announced in the coming months.
