The Sahara Desert presents two polarising tourism realities. North of the Sahara, in countries like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia, well-structured, profitable tourism industries centered on their desert regions have been built. Global travelers regularly book luxury camel rides, dune expeditions, and heritage tours. In January, Reuters reported that Morocco had achieved an unprecedented milestone in its tourism sector by welcoming 17.4 million tourists in 2024, representing a 20% increase over the previous year. This industry is a major financial booster.

However, it seems to be the opposite in Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries such as Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania, and Nigeria possess equally remarkable desert landscapes and beautiful tourist sites, but the potential of a tourism economy is yet to be fully maximised. The lack of tourism development here is primarily due to long-term insecurity, political instability, weak infrastructure, and the government’s failure to prioritise the development of effective tourism policies.

The North African Model

The flourishing tourism sectors in North Africa offer direct lessons for Sub-Saharan nations. Their success comes from effectively coordinating policy, security, and infrastructure.

Morocco is a prime example of this strategy. Its high tourism numbers are not accidental, but the result of national investment. Its strategy is effective because of easy access. Travelers can fly into gateway cities like Marrakech, which is within easy reach of the most popular desert attractions.

Flying into Marrakech places tourists within reach of the most popular Sahara attractions without having to sit through long car rides. Transportation is also very organised – Morocco has a good bus system which transports tourists into the Sahara, where they can easily book various activities and adventures.

Algeria is also making a shift. In 2023, the country introduced a new policy that allowed all non-exempt international visitors to receive a visa-on-arrival. This contributed to a surge in tourist numbers, with a reported 45% increase in 2023. Algeria promotes unique attractions, including the Tassil n’Ajjer National Park, a UNESCO site which is famous for its rare rock formations and over 15,000 prehistoric sculptures and paintings dating back to 10,000 BCE.

Egypt utilises direct bus lines from Cairo to its desert oases, including Siwa and the White and Black Deserts. Visitors can explore historical sites like the Oracle of Siwa, following the footsteps of figures like Alexander the Great. Maintenance of tourist sites is also something that Egypt does well. The ancient pyramids have been regularly maintained and preserved to stand the test of time.

Northern Nigeria.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Nigeria holds so many tourism opportunities. This region holds cultural and historical sites directly connected to the trans-Saharan trade network.

Northern Nigeria forms the boundary of the Sahara, and states like Yobe contain the genuine “Nigerian Sahara”. The Yusufari Desert offers a striking contrast to the rest of the country, with sandy hills stretching far into the distance, and small villages and open farmlands spread across the land. The village of Tulo Tulo, on the border with Niger, is home to one of the world’s most beautiful oases and dunes.

If security and infrastructure were in place, the ancient city of Kano could serve as a major international tourism hub. Tourists could explore the legendary walls of Kano, which once protected a thriving hub of commerce, craft production, and culture. The centuries-old Kurmi Market continues to operate, a historical trading post selling dyed textiles, leather goods, and other crafts.

The main cultural attraction is the Durbar, a centuries-old equestrian festival. It is a tradition that “brings tens of thousands of people to the Emir’s Palace to watch grand parades of riders on decorated horses and camels.

The potential for nature tourism is also high. The Sambisa Forest in Borno State was once a rich game reserve, home to various large animals. It was described as a pearl in the semi-desert environment. Its current notoriety, however, is solely as a hideout for the Boko Haram insurgency, highlighting how instability can destroy a tourism sector.

Despite this, some attractions persist, such as the surreal, medieval-style Kajuru Castle and Matsirga waterfall in Kaduna. However, this area is still under threat as the issue of bandit-led kidnappings has grown more and more common.

The Nigerian government, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has officially approved a new National Tourism Brand Framework under the master brand “Naija Season”. This move proposes to reposition the tourism and creative sectors as primary drivers of economic diversification, moving Nigeria away from its reliance on oil.

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, is spearheading this shift in policy. She emphasised the importance of this framework, stating that “the Ministry will focus on infrastructure development, policy enhancement, skills development, tourism infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making” to address the sector’s current challenges. The plan also includes developing distinct brands like “Detty December” and “Homecoming East” backed by the creation of a Presidential Tourism Task Force to ensure that the sector competes globally and creates revenue. However, what good are any of these plans and policies without effective security?

Mauritania: Policy and Potential

To the west, Mauritania, facing similar challenges, is attempting to address its economic reliance on other sectors. The government’s Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP) Action Plan 2021–2025 is embarking on a new phase to achieve a development vision by 2030. This planning suggests an awareness of the need to diversify the economy.

Mauritania is home to historically significant “ksour” towns—Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt, and Oualata—which are “architectural testaments to a bygone caravan way of life”. While tourism receipts are currently small, the strategy indicates a move toward capitalizing on these unique assets once stability is achieved.

Niger: The Agadez Gateway and the Barriers to Entry

Agadez, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was historically a vital caravan stop. Today, it showcases earthen architecture and Tuareg culture. Visitors can explore the mud-brick architecture and winding alleys of this historic caravan city. Agadez has numerous features, including beautiful Saharan architecture, cultural festivals, Tuareg craftsmanship, desert tracks for safaris, and archaeological sites. The Aïr Mountains also offer hiking adventures around volcanic peaks, hidden oases, and rock art sites deep in the desert.

All this potential is blocked by deep security challenges. Niger has experienced significant instability, particularly near the borders with Mali and Nigeria, where there have been terrorist incidents. One report notes that those in the know “will have to brave armed bandits” to reach some of these remote sites.

In Niger, the military takeover that deposed the democratically elected government was more than just a change in leadership. It was a seismic shock that instantly redefined Niger’s relationship with the international community and placed a massive barrier in front of its tourism industry.

A coup does three things that cripple tourism. First, it destroys security perception. Travel advisories from key Western nations immediately upgraded the threat level, advising citizens to evacuate or avoid the country altogether. Second, it dismantles infrastructure access. Sanctions imposed by regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the closure of airspace do more than just punish the military government; they make commercial travel impossible. Tourists cannot arrive, and logistics become a nightmare.

Finally, and most profoundly, it creates deep instability. When political structures collapse, the ripple effect on regional stability is enormous. This coup does not just affect Niger; it deepens the crisis in the Sahel, impacting the borders with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, countries already struggling with insurgency. The tourism potential of the entire Sub-Saharan Sahara region, which relies on a peaceful inter-country corridor, has been pushed back for years.

A Unified Sub-Saharan Sahara Experience

The development of a successful tourism industry in Sub-Saharan Africa first and foremost requires a commitment to security and simplified access. Security must be the foundation, not an afterthought. This means regional governments must work to stabilise key travel corridors, ensuring that safety is no longer a major barrier to entry for international visitors.

Simultaneously, bureaucratic hurdles must be eliminated. Learning from North African models, nations should adopt simplified visa policies, such as visa-on-arrival or electronic visas for specific tourist zones, to make it easier for travelers to enter and explore the region.

The second critical requirement is substantial investment in infrastructure. Morocco’s thriving tourism sector is built on reliable infrastructure, particularly improved air and road connections. For countries like Nigeria and Niger, this means modernising regional airports and building reliable roads to make remote desert areas accessible to the average tourist.

Finally, the region must embrace regional cooperation to maximise its appeal. The Sahara does not respect national borders; a fragmented approach will fail. A unified strategy, where Nigeria, Niger, and other neighbors market the “Sub-Saharan Sahara” as a single, unique heritage destination, will create a much stronger brand.