According to a new analysis from the African Airlines Association, air travelers traveling out of Nigeria pay one of the highest amounts in Africa in terms of taxes and charges, with an average cost of $180 per international departure, over three times the continental average of $68, according to the report.
The paper, titled AFRAA Taxes and Charges paper Review 2024 and obtained by Sunday PUNCH, exposes how exorbitant taxes, fees, and charges are harming the expansion of Africa’s aviation industry and imposing an unjust cost on travelers.
Nigeria is the third most costly country in Africa in terms of flight ticket taxes and fees, after only Gabon and Sierra Leone. Other West African countries, including Niger, Benin, and Ghana, reached the top ten list of the continent’s most expensive countries for air travel taxes.
On average, a passenger flying internationally from Africa pays $68 in taxes and fees, which is double the worldwide average and substantially higher than in Europe or the Middle East.
However, in nations like Nigeria, passengers spend more than double that amount due to a mix of government taxes, airport fees, and service charges.
“Gabon topped the list of Africa’s most costly countries for international flight travel, with travelers paying an average of $297.70 in taxes. Sierra Leone was close behind at $294, with Nigeria coming in third at $180 per foreign ticket, according to the document.
Djibouti ($168.70), Niger ($130.70), Benin ($123.40), Senegal ($122.60), Liberia ($115), Ghana ($111.50), the Democratic Republic of Congo ($109.90), and Chad ($105.70) were all among the top ten most costly countries.
In contrast, the survey ranked Libya as the least expensive country, with air passengers paying only $1.30 in taxes. Other countries with low departure fees included Malawi ($5.00), Lesotho ($5.70), Algeria ($9.80), Eswatini ($14.20), Tunisia ($15.40), Botswana ($18.90), Morocco ($25.10), Sao Tome ($26.00), Angola ($28.40), and South Africa ($28.50).
The group blamed the problem on a lack of respect to International Civil Aviation Organization policies, fragmented tax regimes, and an overreliance on aviation as a source of government revenue.
“Air transport is perceived as a luxury service across the continent,” claimed the research, “leading governments, airports and service providers to overcharge airlines, even though many are struggling to survive.”
The group cautioned that the exorbitant costs discourage travel, stifle regional connectivity, and undermine the expansion of Africa’s aviation sector.
It recommended governments to coordinate tax policies, lower passenger fees, and look into alternate funding mechanisms for aviation infrastructure.
Out of 54 African countries assessed, 14 charge passengers more than $100 in taxes and levies, up from 13 in 2022, indicating worsening conditions for airlines and travellers.
Dr. Kingsley Nwokoma, President of the Association of Foreign Airlines’ Representatives in Nigeria, stated that high operational costs continue to drive up airfares, making flights from Nigeria to other African countries more expensive than to some European destinations.
“Data does not lie. “Nigeria is one of the most expensive countries in Africa for aviation business,” the executive informed our correspondent. “It’s more expensive to fly from Nigeria to Togo or Yaoundé than it is to fly into Europe in some cases.”
Beyond the high exchange rate and aviation fuel, airlines face restricted access to economical aircraft leasing and disadvantageous terms from lessors.
The Nigerian government has acknowledged some of the concerns and is working to find a lasting solution. Among these, it recently resolved a backlog of roughly $900 million in foreign airline earnings that had become stranded due to a lack of foreign exchange.
This issue had previously forced airlines to boost fares on Nigerian flights. Authorities have since advised airlines to modify ticket pricing to reflect the improved situation.
The government has also signed the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction, which aims to make aircraft leasing easier and more economical for Nigerian carriers. Officials stated that this is intended to cut operational expenses in the long run.
The Ministry of Aviation, chaired by Festus Keyamo, has pledged to assisting domestic airlines in procuring aircraft at lower costs and accessing global markets for better lease and financing arrangements. A study of airport-related fees is also ongoing, with the goal of reducing the financial burden on airlines and passengers.
According to Nwokoma, various foreign and domestic airlines have expressed concerns about multiple penalties imposed by aviation authorities, notably the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
We have discussed this with FAAN multiple times. The system should be revised. If airlines pay more, the costs will eventually be passed on to passengers,” he stated.
Nwokoma highlighted Nigeria’s existing tariffs as the highest on the continent, warning that until regulatory authorities fix these issues, the country will lose competitiveness in regional air travel.
“The numbers are clear and accurate.”The only way out is to review and reduce the numerous fees imposed on airlines,” he continued.
An airline executive who declined to be named supported Nwokoma’s position, describing Nigeria’s aviation fees as unsustainable and a major factor driving travelers to neighboring countries.
“Do you think airlines are taxed many times? Yes, they are,” the executive informed Saturday PUNCH. “This isn’t new. Airlines have complained about this. It’s simple: go to Ghana, Mali, or Togo; tickets are cheaper, and exporting goods is less expensive.
The expert also stated that high taxes and operational costs are forcing Nigerian travelers, particularly students, to purchase tickets from neighboring West African countries where prices are lower.
“The landing fees, parking fees, and other costs here are exorbitant. It has a direct effect on airfares. “And it doesn’t stop there; agricultural exports are also affected,” the insider continued.
“For example, Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of yam, yet much of the yam sold from this region is labeled as a Ghanaian product since it is less expensive and easier to export through Ghana.
The executive called for immediate measures to lower taxes and increase the ease of doing business in the aviation industry.
“If we want to compete globally without pushing the expense burden onto passengers, we need to reform our system. Our sole advantage right now is population, but we are losing it as tourists and exporters find better options next door.”