Nigeria flight tax burden ranks third in Africa as passengers pay $180 on average. AFRAA report reveals shocking air travel costs across West Africa

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria has ranked as the third most expensive African country for international and regional flight departure taxes, according to a new report by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

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The report, released on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, highlights that Nigerian travellers pay an average of $180 in ticket taxes, charges, and fees per international or regional flight.

Only Gabon and Sierra Leone charge more, with average costs of $297.70 and $294 respectively. Nigeria’s $180 average places it above Djibouti at $168.70, Niger at $130.70, Benin at $123.40, and Ghana at $111.50.

The disparity is stark when compared to countries like Libya, which charges just $1.30, Malawi at $5.00, Lesotho at $5.70, and Algeria at $9.80, despite many of these nations handling more air traffic volume.

The report paints a broader picture of Africa’s aviation environment, pointing out that West Africa is the most expensive sub-region for air travel.

Passengers departing West African airports face average charges of $109.50, up from $96.50 in 2022. Central Africa follows closely at $106.60, while Eastern Africa and Southern Africa remain slightly more affordable at $63.32 and $34.50 respectively. Northern Africa is the least expensive with an average of just $25.27.

The report also notes that regional departures within Africa are no exception to the rising costs. Passengers across the continent now pay an average of $59.05 for regional flights, compared to $57.40 in 2022.

In this category too, Sierra Leone tops the list at $294, Gabon follows at $260, and Nigeria again ranks third at $180.

These figures have raised concern among aviation analysts and regional carriers, who fear that the high cost of travel could discourage regional integration and economic connectivity.

“There’s a pressing need to rationalise the multiple taxes and charges imposed on African travellers. The current structure is neither competitive nor sustainable,” a Lagos-based aviation consultant said.

AFRAA’s findings also underscore an imbalance between air traffic and cost. Central and West African countries, which together represent just 23% of the continent’s air traffic, are home to more than half of the countries charging above $100 in departure taxes.

In contrast, Northern Africa, with 35% of total traffic, keeps most of its departure charges below $50.

The number of different ticket taxes, charges, and fees faced by African travellers is also higher than the global average. African passengers pay on average 3.5 different charges per ticket, compared to 2.53 in Europe and 2.69 in the Middle East.

While European passengers pay just $32 on average in regional departure taxes, and Middle Eastern travellers $34, African passengers pay $68 — more than double in some cases.

Industry stakeholders have consistently called for harmonisation and reduction of travel costs within the continent to encourage mobility, tourism, and intra-African trade.

“It is worrying that Africa, which should be working toward a single aviation market, is weighed down by such high and inconsistent costs,” said a regional airline executive.

Efforts by the African Union to establish the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) have been slow to bear fruit, with many governments yet to reduce or unify travel-related taxes and charges.

Observers fear that without decisive action, air travel could become increasingly inaccessible for average citizens, especially in regions like West Africa.

The AFRAA report serves as a stark reminder of the economic burden placed on African travellers.

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With Nigeria’s $180 average cost now a symbol of broader inefficiencies, questions are being raised about how governments plan to address the growing disparity in aviation affordability.