Africa is a continent of awe-inspiring beauty, boasting breathtaking landscapes, ancient cities, award-winning wine regions, majestic wildlife, and diverse cultures. But here’s the kicker: as an African, you’re more likely to explore these wonders on a screen than in person.
Why? Because trips of this nature are not for the weak. For those holding African passports, the hurdles of traveling within the continent often seem to outweigh the rewards.
The Cost of Flying
Picture this: it’s cheaper to fly from Uganda to Dubai than from Uganda to Mozambique, even though Mozambique is much closer. Sounds crazy, right? But that’s the reality for many African travelers. Intra-African flights are notoriously expensive. A World Bank report from 2013 found that airfares within Africa were about 50% higher than similar routes worldwide. Fast forward to now, and a report by IATA confirms that intra-African flights are still 45% pricier than their European counterparts.
African airlines also slap a hefty $50 tax on passengers, compared to $30.25 in Europe and $29.65 in the Middle East. The reasons? Limited competition, inefficient infrastructure, high taxes, and a lack of open skies agreements between African nations keep prices sky-high.
Limited Alternatives
Thinking of road or rail as a backup? Think again. In many regions, there are no reliable road or rail options. Cross-border travel by bus is often a nightmare, thanks to poor road conditions and the dreaded customs and immigration hassles. As for rail, it’s a luxury experience in some places; an example is Rovos Rail, the $19,000 train ride from Tanzania to South Africa—hardly a practical option for the average traveler.
Visa Woes and Travel Restrictions
Visa requirements are another major roadblock. In 46% of cases, Africans need a visa to travel within the continent, a slight improvement from 2022 but still far from ideal. Only four countries—The Gambia, Benin, Seychelles, and Rwanda—have completely abolished visa requirements for Africans. Compare that to travelers from outside the continent who often enjoy easier, visa-free access.
The much-talked-about AU passport, which was supposed to be rolled out by 2020, remains a pipe dream. Even if it were introduced, there’s skepticism about its effectiveness without individual countries fully committing to it. The reality is that even within regional blocs like ECOWAS, where citizens hold a common passport, the protocols aren’t always adhered to.
Kenya’s recent move in December 2023 to introduce electronic travel authorization (ETA) instead of visa-free access further complicates the situation, showing that instead of opening doors, some countries are tightening them.
Connectivity Challenges
Then there’s the issue of connectivity. Unlike Europe, where direct flights and trains connect most countries, traveling within Africa often involves long layovers and indirect routes. Even neighboring countries can feel worlds apart due to a lack of efficient air connections.
African airlines deal with a fragmented market, negotiating with individual countries that each have their own rates and regulations. Meanwhile, Europe’s unified aviation market, established in 2006, has led to cheaper flights and more options for travelers. Africa’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched in 2018, was supposed to bring similar benefits, but like the AU passport, it’s yet to be fully implemented.
Security and Instability
Adding to the mix are issues of political instability, security concerns, and protectionist attitudes among African states. These factors only make travel within the continent more challenging. In the aftermath of a coup last year, a member of our editorial team joked – ironically – about this.
Three weeks later, there was another coup in Gabon.
The Way Forward
So, what’s the solution? While we’re not experts, we believe that more collaboration between African governments could ease geopolitical tensions, boost economic cooperation, and foster cultural exchanges. Open skies agreements could lower flight costs by increasing competition, while simplifying visa processes could make exploring Africa more accessible.
It’s a tough challenge, but with political will, collaboration, and investment, intra-African travel could become a reality for more people.
Until then, many of us will continue to dream, make empty travel plans, and live vicariously through travel bloggers like Tayo Aina—or simply opt for trips abroad.
