As Morocco gears up to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Royal Air Maroc is preparing for a significant influx of Nigerian football fans, with projections estimating between 3,000 and 5,000 travelers from Nigeria if the Super Eagles qualify and advance in the tournament.
Speaking in Abuja while hosting Nigerian stakeholders, Ahmed Anouar Boussouf, Country Manager of Royal Air Maroc in Nigeria, outlined the airline’s strategic expansion and its role in facilitating seamless travel for Nigerian supporters.
The airline expects between 2,000 and 3,000 Nigerian fans to travel for the group stage, with an additional 1,000 to 2,000 joining during the knockout rounds, particularly if Nigeria reaches the semifinals. These numbers could rise further with well-structured travel packages and favorable scheduling.
Royal Air Maroc is already expanding its presence in Nigeria, with increased deployment of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Lagos route and frequent flights from both Lagos and Abuja to Casablanca, which serves as a key hub for onward connections to Morocco.
Beyond AFCON, Boussouf highlighted Morocco’s growing appeal as a top African tourist destination, noting an expected 149% increase in tourist arrivals from 6,007 in 2023 to 14,981 in 2024, surpassing countries like Egypt and Dubai.
Nigerian travelers are primarily drawn to Morocco’s rich culture, art, cuisine, architecture, and history, with additional interests in nature, luxury tourism, and adventure sports.
As Royal Air Maroc pursues an ambitious growth strategy, the airline aims to expand to 143 destinations with 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing Morocco’s position as a global travel hub. With AFCON 2025 on the horizon, the airline is positioning itself as a premier choice for Nigerian fans eager to support the Super Eagles on Moroccan soil.
Presently, Morocco flies to 99 destination and has 60 aircraft fleet. It hopes to increase its destinations to 143 destinations and 200 aircrafts by 2037.
Boussouf highlighted that plans are being put in place to ensure that travelers get a seamless flight to the North African country have plans to add additional 20 flights than usual from its 9 flight to Nigeria.
He added that e-visa is available for holders of valid visas from Schengen, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India and Israel.
He stated that physical application is required for travelers who do not qualify for E-Visa noting that applications must be submitted through the Moroccan Embassy in Abuja.
Come December 2025, Morocco will be hosting the rest of Africa at the African Cup of Nations, with 5 cities expected to hold the tourney. In 2024, Morocco for the first time overtook Egypt as the number 1 destination in Africa with 17.5 million tourist arrivals. With the African Cup of Nations holding later this year, Morocco is set to widen its lead over its rivals, as the country hopes the biggest football tournament in Africa will help it lure 18.5 million visitors. By 2030, when Morocco is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the country aims to welcome 26 million tourists annually—50 percent more than its current figures.
With Nigeria’s participation, the expected number of fans are 3,000 to 5000 and more if the Super Eagles go all the way to the final.
