Why Christmas is getting more expensive in Africa: The Ghana-Nigeria story
For millions across Africa, Christmas has long been a season of travel, food and celebration. But in recent years, the festive period has become noticeably more expensive and nowhere is this more visible than in Ghana and Nigeria, where the end-of-year party season known as “Detty December” has driven costs astronomically higher.
Originally a grassroots celebration fuelled by music, nightlife and homecoming trips by the African diaspora, Detty December has grown into a global tourism phenomenon. That popularity, however, has come with a price.
Each December, thousands of visitors, many from Europe and North America, descend on cities like Accra and Lagos. The surge in demand pushes up prices across flights, accommodation, transport and entertainment.
Airfares on popular routes to West Africa can more than double during the festive season, with some travellers paying thousands of dollars for last-minute tickets. Hotel prices in prime areas such as Osu and Labone in Accra or Victoria Island in Lagos often rise, sometimes doubling compared to off-season rates.
Food and drink prices also spike, with restaurants and bars charging festive premiums for everyday items. Large concerts and high-profile parties add to the expense, with ticket prices placing many events out of reach for average earners and locals.
Inflation and weak currencies
These seasonal pressures are compounded by existing economic challenges. Both Ghana and Nigeria have faced high inflation and currency weakness, pushing up the cost of imported goods, fuel and food, staples of the festive season.
In Nigeria, inflation has driven up transport and grocery prices, making Christmas spending harder even without added tourism demand. In Ghana, a weaker cedi has increased costs across the board, affecting locals and visitors alike.
Locals feel priced out
While Detty December has brought major economic benefits, Ghana’s Tourism Authority says visitors generated a record $4.8 billion, while Lagos alone earned more than $70 million last year, critics say ordinary residents are increasingly being priced out of their own cities.
Rents rise, basic goods become more expensive, and public spaces are reshaped to cater to wealthier visitors. For many locals, the festive season now means higher living costs rather than celebration.
Social media has amplified these concerns, with many Ghanaians and Nigerians questioning whether the festivities still serve the wider population.
Is Detty December slowly dying?
The growing costs have also sparked debate about whether Detty December is becoming unsustainable. Some travellers report “Detty December fatigue”, budgeting more carefully or opting for smaller gatherings instead of big-ticket events. On social media, some Ghanaian X user even prayed for the death of Detty December in the country. For others, it was about congestion, traffic and mainly poorly organised shows.
In Ghana, the label itself has come under scrutiny. Kofi Okyere-Darko, the country’s Director of Diaspora Affairs, has said he is uncomfortable with the term being linked to Ghana’s national image, despite the tourism boom it brings.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
