Ghana Records Steady Growth in International Air Arrivals in First Eight Months of 2025
Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has seen a steady rise in international passenger arrivals throughout the first eight months of 2025, signaling a positive outlook for the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
According to data released by the Bank of Ghana, international arrivals averaged nearly 100,000 passengers per month from January through August, with August recording the highest figure so far this year 112,000 inbound travellers.
This trend suggests growing resilience in air travel demand amid a challenging global economic environment, and supports Ghana’s ambition to position itself as a key West African aviation and tourism hub.
Breakdown of Monthly Arrivals
Here’s a month-by-month snapshot of passenger inflows to Ghana from January to August 2025:
- January: 126,000
- February: 102,000
- March: 94,000
- April: 96,000
- May: 97,000
- June: 108,000
- July: 108,000
- August: 112,000
Despite a slight dip after January, traffic rebounded strongly from June onward, likely boosted by summer travel, increased diaspora visits, and expanded tourism campaigns by the Ghana Tourism Authority and allied stakeholders.
International passenger arrivals are more than just numbers they are tied directly to tourism revenues, business travel, remittances, and foreign exchange flows, all critical components of Ghana’s service-driven economy.
Ghana’s push to attract diaspora tourism through initiatives like “Beyond the Return” and increased visibility in international travel markets appears to be yielding results. The upward trend also supports the government’s long-term vision to develop Ghana into a regional transit and tourism hub, a goal outlined in both the Aviation Sector Master Plan and the National Tourism Policy.
Across Africa, the aviation sector has struggled to recover fully since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many countries facing capacity challenges, high operational costs, and volatile demand. Ghana’s relatively steady growth may serve as a regional example of how consistent policy and marketing efforts can boost air traffic even in uncertain times.
Several factors may be contributing to the improved passenger numbers at KIA:
- Return of Summer Travel: The June–August period typically sees a spike in arrivals from Europe and North America, particularly among the Ghanaian diaspora visiting for holidays or family events.
- Expanded Airline Routes: International carriers such as KLM, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Africa World Airlines have increased flight frequencies in recent months to accommodate growing demand.
- Event-Driven Tourism: Conferences, cultural festivals, and international exhibitions held in Accra and Kumasi during mid-year also attract short-stay visitors.
- Business Travel Recovery: As Ghana continues to attract foreign direct investment in sectors like mining, energy, and technology, there’s renewed interest in corporate travel.
Passenger arrivals are closely linked to foreign exchange earnings, as visitors spend on accommodation, transportation, food, and tourism services. According to the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), tourism contributed about US$2.5 billion to Ghana’s GDP in 2023, with projections for a 10% increase in 2025 if growth continues.
This makes sustained air travel growth not just a transport issue, but an important economic indicator.
With the final quarter of the year typically witnessing a rise in both holiday and business travel, the next few months will be critical in determining whether 2025 closes with year-on-year growth.
Key trends to monitor include:
- September–December traffic: Historically boosted by festive travel, corporate conferences, and diaspora returnees.
- Tourism revenue performance: To assess whether higher arrival numbers are converting into meaningful economic gains.
- Airline expansion: Increased traffic could encourage airlines to introduce new routes or more frequent services to Accra and Kumasi.
Ghana’s aviation sector appears to be on a steady upward trajectory in 2025, driven by a mix of diaspora engagement, tourism promotion, and business travel recovery. While external economic conditions remain uncertain, the recent numbers from Kotoka International Airport offer a promising sign for the country’s broader service and hospitality sectors.
Continued growth will depend on maintaining safety standards, expanding airport infrastructure, and diversifying travel offerings to attract a wider range of international visitors.
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