Aug 6, 2025
As international and local travel rebounds across Africa, Nigerians are spending more than ever on vacations—and increasingly relying on digital tools to manage their expenses. From card-based travel wallets to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options, consumers are finding new ways to fund their getaways without draining their savings.
According to recent data from a local travel agency, average vacation spending by middle-income Nigerians has jumped by over 35% compared to last year. Much of this spending is going toward flights, short-term rentals, destination experiences, and travel insurance. Interestingly, there’s also been a significant uptick in the use of virtual USD cards for booking international hotels, Airbnb stays, and airline tickets—especially in countries where naira-denominated cards are often declined.
“With the naira's volatility, more travelers are turning to fintech cards that offer better exchange rates and real-time conversion,” said a representative from a Nigerian card-as-a-service provider. “Many of them also want to avoid carrying large sums of cash, especially in unfamiliar destinations.”
To reduce the pressure of upfront payments, more travel platforms and financial apps now offer installment plans for vacation packages. These allow users to spread costs over 3 to 6 months—sometimes with little or no interest—making once-unaffordable trips more accessible. For many young professionals and freelancers, this flexibility is changing the way they plan and prioritize rest.
Still, experts warn travelers to budget wisely. Overspending during holidays can lead to debt spirals if users don’t have a clear repayment plan. Financial coaches recommend creating a “vacation fund” well ahead of travel season, using budgeting tools or digital savings pots.
“Vacations are great, but they should never cost your peace of mind,” one financial advisor said. “Use your cards smartly, track your spending in real-time, and don’t let one week of escape turn into three months of financial recovery.”
As summer winds down, one thing is clear: travel is back—and so is the need for better financial planning around it.
