Sierra Leone has temporarily halted the collection of its US\$25 airport security levy
....charged to international passengers at Freetown International Airport in Lungi. The suspension, which took effect on Monday, 6 July 2026, was announced through a ministerial directive from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and forms part of an ongoing review of the contractual agreement between the government and Securiport Limited, the private firm handling security screening operations.
The decision follows months of growing public discontent, parliamentary scrutiny, and warnings from the Auditor General's office pointing to gaps in financial accountability surrounding the controversial fee. Authorities have confirmed that the pause will remain in place while the Audit Service Sierra Leone completes an independent special audit into how the levy has been managed since its introduction. For the wider African travel trade, this move signals a shift in how West African states are beginning to treat opaque aviation charges that have long weighed on both passengers and industry stakeholders.
Travellers flying in and out of Lungi had complained repeatedly about the inconvenience of paying the fee in cash at arrival and departure points, a system that frequently caused bottlenecks and delays. Because the charge was never bundled into the price of air tickets, tourists, business visitors, and members of the diaspora were often caught off guard, forced to queue at counters before completing immigration formalities. Industry observers say this cash-based collection model damaged Sierra Leone's reputation as an emerging destination and discouraged repeat visits, particularly from leisure tourists exploring the country's beaches, wildlife reserves, and cultural heritage sites.
The suspension arrives at a moment when ECOWAS is pushing member states to lower aviation taxes and harmonise regulatory frameworks across West Africa. High passenger charges have long been identified as one of the biggest barriers to the growth of intra-African travel, with the region consistently ranking among the most expensive globally in terms of airport levies and departure taxes. Reforms being encouraged by the regional bloc aim to make air connectivity more affordable, stimulate tourism, and boost cross-border business travel — a development that African travel professionals will want to watch closely as they build their route and pricing strategies.
For tour operators, destination management companies, and inbound agencies working across the continent, the Sierra Leone case offers useful lessons. It highlights how hidden or unbundled fees can erode traveller confidence in a destination, especially in emerging markets where perception plays a huge role in attracting first-time visitors. Bundling all costs into the ticket price, ensuring transparency, and communicating clearly with passengers before departure are practices that could help other African nations avoid similar backlash.
The audit into Securiport's operations is also expected to explore whether the government received fair value from the arrangement and whether proper procurement procedures were followed when the contract was awarded. Depending on its outcome, the review could reshape the way private security contractors operate at airports elsewhere on the continent, particularly in countries where similar public-private partnerships have raised eyebrows.
Looking ahead, industry professionals across sub-Saharan Africa should anticipate a broader wave of regulatory adjustments touching everything from visa policies to airport charges. As governments respond to citizen pressure and align with regional integration goals, destinations that streamline the traveller experience will gain a competitive edge. Sierra Leone's pause on the US\$25 fee may seem like a small technical adjustment, but it reflects a much larger conversation about how African aviation must evolve to remain attractive, affordable, and welcoming in the years to come.
