Africa’s tourism sector is showing strong recovery and promise, with 66.3 million international tourists visiting the continent in 2024 and generating $38 billion in total receipts, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The sector’s contribution to the global GDP reached $81 billion, surpassing that of the automotive manufacturing, healthcare, and banking sectors, underlining its significance for African economies.
Despite these gains, the continent’s air transport industry remains largely unprofitable, particularly for passenger carriers. A key factor contributing to this challenge is the high cost of taxes, charges, and fees levied on airlines and passengers.
According to the 2024 Taxes and Charges Study Review released by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), international air passengers in Africa paid, on average, 3.5 different types of taxes and fees, amounting to $68 per departure. This marks a slight increase from the $66 average recorded in 2022.
Gabon emerged as the most expensive country for international departures, with passengers paying $297.70 per trip. It also ranked second for regional flights at $260. Sierra Leone topped the regional category, charging $294 for both regional and international departures. Nigeria placed third in both categories, with air travellers paying $180 for each.
Rank Country International departure tax
1 Gabon $297.7
2 Sierra-Leone $294
3 Nigeria $180
4 Djibouti $168.7
5 Niger $130.7
6 Benin $123.4
7 Senegal $122.6
8 Liberia $115
9 Ghana $111.5
10 DR Congo $109.9
The AFRAA report, which surveyed 54 African countries in September 2024, revealed that West Africa has the highest average levies on the continent, $109.50 for international departures and $97 for regional. Central Africa follows closely, making these two subregions the most expensive for air travel.
On average, passengers in West and Central Africa pay $109.49 and $106.62 respectively in charges, well above the continental average. Ironically, these regions account for just 23% of total African air traffic, yet more than half of their countries charge over $100 per ticket in taxes and fees.
In contrast, Northern Africa stands out as the most affordable region for air travel. With an average tax and fee burden of just $25.27, most Northern African countries charge less than $50 per international ticket, even though the region accounts for 35% of Africa’s total air traffic.
