KIGALI, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Governments of Rwanda and Nigeria Monday signed an airspace agreement allowing Rwanda's national carrier RwandAir to fly in Nigeria's air space.

The agreement was signed in Rwandan capital Kigali by Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Rwanda's state minister for transport and Nigerian state minister in charge of aviation Hadi Abubakar Sirika.

The agreement provides for cooperation in training and sharing of aviation expertise between Rwanda and Nigeria's aviation sectors.

The deal would enhance connectivity between the two countries and boost trade, said Uwihanganye after signing the agreement.

He said the agreement is reciprocal with interconnectivity between the two countries expected to facilitate the private sectors of both countries to tap into economic and social benefits.

The signing and opening more routes by RwandAir will continue to provide Rwanda's private sector with enormous opportunities in an economically vibrant and large market, he said.

"Air transport has capacity to connect people, markets and cultures. Therefore this particular agreement is great step towards connecting the people of Nigeria with Rwanda," said Sirika.

RwandAir currently flies to Lagos with plans to start flights to Abuja in May 2018, according to officials.