South Africa recorded a strong start to the year in tourism, with over 1.3 million international arrivals in January 2025, according to new data. West Africa saw notable growth, with Ghana leading Nigeria in tourist numbers.
According to businesslive.co.za, visitor arrivals from Ghana surged by 39.9% year-on-year to 3,088, while Nigeria contributed 2,207 visitors, reflecting a 27.9% increase. Overall, arrivals from West Africa rose by 38.9%.
Holidaymakers dominated the influx, with 97.5% (988,932) of tourists traveling for leisure. Business travel accounted for 17,665 arrivals (1.7%), while 7,147 visitors came for study purposes, and 250 sought medical treatment.
The figures highlight South Africa’s growing appeal as a top destination for West African travelers, with Ghanaian visitors outpacing their Nigerian counterparts for the month.
