At Akwaaba 2025, RwandAir has highlighted measures taken by the airline to boost tourism in Rwanda, also reaffirming Nigeria’s importance as a strategic market in West Africa, citing strong passenger demand and ease of travel to Kigali.
RwandAir’s Regional Manager for West and Central Africa, Ginette Kadigiri, in an interview at the 21st Akwaaba Travel Market at Eko Hotels Lagos, on Monday, said the airline has steadily expanded its operations in Nigeria since 2011, drawn by the country’s vibrant travel culture and large population.
The airline operates daily flights from Lagos to multiple destinations through its hub in Kigali, offering a higher level of comfort with its Airbus fleet.
Nigerian travellers have shown great appreciation for the upgrade in service, which provides seamless connections to about 20 destinations directly and over 120 through codeshare partners like Qatar Airways.
Rwanda’s visa-free policy for all African nationals has significantly boosted tourism, making it an attractive destination for travellers. Kadigiri noted that the policy has simplified the travel process, allowing visitors to book a ticket and hotel, and arrive in Kigali with visa-free entry on arrival. The streamlined process has led to a surge in tourist arrivals and growing interest in Rwanda as a destination.
“When people think about traveling, Rwanda comes easily to mind because of our open visa policy”, she said. “It’s as simple as booking a ticket and a hotel, and you’re on your way to Kigali. The process at the airport is swift, and visitors get visa-free entry on arrival”.
With RwandAir’s expanding operations in Nigeria, the airline is committed to providing seamless travel experiences for passengers. As Kadigiri noted, “more and more people are discovering Rwanda because it’s easy to visit and easy to connect through Kigali”.