Air Tanzania. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
The Tanzanian government has announced a new mandatory levy on foreign air travellers, a move expected to affect thousands of visitors, including Kenyans.
According to a notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), the new “passenger facilitation fee” will take effect on November 1, 2025.
Foreign nationals flying into or out of Tanzania will pay $45 (Ksh5,814) for a one-way ticket and $90 (Ksh11,628) for a return ticket. Children under two years will be exempt. Airlines will collect the charges at the point of ticket purchase.
Why the Levy Was Introduced
TCAA says the fee will finance the installation and maintenance of new aviation security systems, including Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Electronic Border Management Control (eBMC).
The systems will transmit passenger data to the government before flights depart, enabling authorities to determine who can enter or leave the country.
“Based on the cost of installing the system, relying only on government financing will not be sustainable. For this reason, we have proposed that the fees collected from passengers during international arrivals will fund the project,” said TCAA in its statement.
The regulator added that the charges would be refundable in cases where passengers cancel their flights or fail to travel.
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Concerns From Airlines and Travellers
The move has raised concerns among airline operators and regional travellers. Airlines warn that the additional levy could make tickets more expensive, reducing passenger numbers and slowing down post-pandemic recovery for Africa’s aviation sector, which already faces heavy taxation.
“This is yet another cost burden on travellers. Africa is already the most expensive region to fly in, and introducing extra charges risks pushing passengers away,” said an official from an East African carrier who requested anonymity.
Kenyan frequent flyers who often cross into Tanzania for business, leisure, and family visits said the new fee would increase travel expenses at a time when the cost of living is already high.
“It may discourage short trips to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, especially for business people who travel frequently,” said a Nairobi-based trader.
Part of a Wider Policy Shift
The levy is the latest in a series of regulatory changes under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, aimed at tightening control over foreign involvement in the country.
Barely a month ago, Tanzania introduced restrictions barring foreign nationals from operating in 15 categories of businesses, reserving them exclusively for Tanzanians. The government defended the decision as necessary to protect local entrepreneurs.
The two policies have sparked debate over whether Tanzania risks being seen as less friendly to regional integration and cross-border investment, particularly at a time when East African Community (EAC) members are pushing for freer movement of goods, people, and capital.
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Regional and Economic Implications
Experts warn that the levy could affect tourism, one of Tanzania’s biggest foreign exchange earners. The country attracts millions of visitors annually to destinations such as Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar’s beaches.
Tour operators fear that higher travel costs might discourage budget travellers, who make up a significant portion of regional tourism.
On the other hand, officials argue that the systems funded by the levy will enhance border security, improve passenger tracking, and bring Tanzania in line with international aviation safety standards.
Despite the concerns, the government remains firm on implementation. Travellers and airlines will now have to factor in the additional charges when planning trips to or from Tanzania starting November.
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