Nigeria Emerges as Africa's Leading Aviation Market

Nigeria has been identified as the most competitive aviation market in Africa, attributed to a significant increase in international passenger throughput year-on-year. In 2025, the total number of inbound and outbound passengers from Nigeria reached about 4.85 million, marking a 12.01% increase from 2024's 4.33 million passengers and a 6.48% rise from 2023's 4.07 million.

This growth is supported by the operations of 20 foreign airlines conducting around 200 flights weekly from major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has shown the fastest growth among Africa’s largest aviation hubs.

Foreign airlines dominate over 90% of Nigeria's international passenger market, generating an estimated $1.7 billion annually, with a core group of 18 to 20 airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, and KLM. The Nigerian market is characterized by high demand for premium cabin services, leading to high yields per mile globally.