Nigeria has been listed among countries where aviation taxes and charges exceed global averages, raising fresh concerns about high airfares and limited connectivity.
The disclosure was made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at its Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa.
According to IATA, aviation charges across Africa are about 15 per cent higher than the global average, with Nigeria identified alongside Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, and Kenya as key contributors to the continent’s elevated cost structure.
“The cost of doing aviation business in Africa is high. Taxes and charges imposed by governments and infrastructure providers are about 15 per cent above the global average,” the association said.
IATA noted that these high costs are ultimately passed on to passengers, pushing up ticket prices, weakening demand, and slowing regional connectivity.
The latest assessment adds urgency to ongoing efforts to reduce aviation costs in West Africa. In December 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to cut selected aviation charges by 25 per cent and eliminate some taxes to make air travel more affordable.
However, IATA stressed that the success of these reforms depends on full and consistent implementation by member countries.
Beyond taxes and charges, the association highlighted deeper issues affecting Africa’s aviation sector, including the problem of trapped airline funds. As of March 2026, about $774 million in airline revenues remain blocked across the continent, limiting airline operations and investor confidence.
IATA also identified visa restrictions as a major barrier, noting that nearly half of intra-African travel still requires pre-approved visas, which discourages tourism and business travel.
In Nigeria, aviation costs remain relatively high. The country generated about $62 million from ticket taxes in 2024 and recently introduced an additional $11.5 security levy under its Advance Passenger Information System, bringing total security-related charges on international tickets to $31.50.
While authorities say the levy is aimed at improving security and passenger tracking, industry players argue that cumulative charges continue to inflate travel costs.
Despite the challenges, IATA pointed to long-term opportunities, including Africa’s potential in sustainable aviation fuel production and carbon markets.
Still, the message from the industry is clear: unless governments address high taxes, charges, and policy bottlenecks, Africa’s aviation sector, particularly in countries like Nigeria, will struggle to reach its full growth potential.
