Fresh IATA data shows Africa generated $1.97 billion from ticket taxes, with Nigeria among the continent’s top contributors.
New data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that Nigeria earned $62 million from airline ticket taxes in 2024, placing it among Africa’s notable contributors to aviation tax revenues.
Nigeria’s revenue formed part of the $60.3 billion collected globally and the $1.97 billion generated across Africa during the year. The figures also revealed that Africa’s average ticket tax stood at $14.9 per passenger, higher than the Asia-Pacific region but lower than North and South America.
Despite accounting for a small share of global revenue, Nigeria alongside other major African aviation hubs played a significant role in the continent’s total earnings. IATA listed South Africa ($410 million), Egypt ($360 million), Ethiopia ($310 million), Morocco ($295 million) and Kenya ($215 million) as the largest contributors within the region.
How Other Regions Performed
North America remained the world’s dominant aviation-tax market, generating $34.1 billion. Passengers in the region paid an average of $23.4 in domestic ticket taxes and almost $49.8 on international routes, the highest globally.
Europe followed with $14.5 billion, driven by moderate taxes that averaged $12.1 per ticket. South and Central America also recorded some of the world’s highest international travel taxes at $45.5 per ticket, though their overall revenue remained far lower due to reduced passenger traffic.
In contrast, the Middle East applied no ticket-specific taxes.
Across Africa, almost all revenue came from international travel, with domestic ticket taxes contributing just $49 million. International passengers paid an average of $20.7 in ticket-related charges.
Nigeria Introduces New Security Levy
Nigeria’s ticket-tax burden increased on December 1, 2025, when authorities introduced an additional $11.5 security levy under the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). The new charge raises the total security levy on all international tickets to $31.50.
According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the APIS fee applies to every ticket issued from December 1 for passengers arriving in or departing from Nigeria. Airlines are required to collect and remit the levy to the NCAA.
