South Africa and Egypt together accounted for $76.9 billion in travel and tourism’s economic contribution in 2025, roughly a third of the $225.6 billion total across the 46 African countries covered.
South Africa led with $42.5 billion, followed by Egypt at $34.4 billion. Adding Morocco’s $20.7 billion and Algeria’s $16 billion brings the four countries’ combined contribution to $113.6 billion, slightly more than half the total across all 46 countries.
Nigeria ranked ninth among the countries covered, at $7.6 billion, behind Ethiopia’s $8.8 billion and ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s $7.1 billion. It had the largest contribution among the West African countries included, with Ghana following Côte d’Ivoire at $5.8 billion.
These figures measure the economic value supported by travel and tourism, including its direct activity, supply chains and spending by workers whose jobs it supports. They cover domestic and international travel, rather than foreign visitor spending alone.
All figures are WTTC estimates at constant 2025 prices and exchange rates. Totals and shares for the 46 countries were calculated by Intelpoint.
Source: World Travel & Tourism Council: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research 2026. All rights reserved.
