Domestic air travel fares in Nigeria increased by 20.8 percent year-on-year in May 2026, reaching N157,552 compared to N130,361 in May 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The NBS also reported fare increases across other transport categories in its latest Transport Fare Watch.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), African airlines experienced an 8.9% increase in passenger demand in May 2026, contrasting with a 2.2% decline in global market demand. This data highlights the resilience of the African aviation sector amid broader challenges faced by the global airline industry.

Tanzania's annual headline inflation rose to 4.2% in May 2026, up from 4.0% in April, primarily due to an 11.9% increase in transport prices linked to monthly fuel price hikes of 13.8% for diesel and 10.4% for petrol. Core inflation also increased to 3.4% from 3.1%, indicating broader price pressures beyond food and energy, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to the Bank of Tanzania's May 2026 review, Tanzania's exports increased by 13.5% to USD 18.9 billion for the year ending April 2026, driven primarily by gold and tourism. The report also noted a rise in headline inflation to 4% due to higher fuel prices, a 23.6% growth in private sector credit, and an appreciation of the Shilling by 2.7%. Foreign exchange reserves reached USD 5.7 billion, sufficient to cover 4.4 months of imports.

Uganda's annual inflation rate increased to 3.2 percent in May from 3 percent in April, primarily due to rising fuel and transport costs associated with higher global oil prices. This trend has raised concerns at the Bank of Uganda regarding external inflation pressures, while food prices have remained relatively stable. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics reported a monthly consumer price rise of 0.7 percent.

East Africa's tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, with Kenya receiving 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, up from 2.39 million in 2024. This 12.97% increase has led to a record tourism revenue of Sh500 billion. Experts suggest that enhancing tech infrastructure could further boost this growth, addressing challenges such as fragmented booking systems and reliance on cash transactions.