Top 5 African countries with the highest Christmas spending

In Africa, Christmas isn’t just a religious holiday, it’s a cultural celebration marked by unique traditions. Families often travel long distances to reunite, exchange gifts, prepare elaborate feasts, and attend church services. Yet, these customs can quickly become costly, particularly in economies grappling with inflation and weak currencies.

For instance, in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, inflation has driven up the prices of staple foods such as rice, chicken, and cooking oil, all essentials for the Christmas table. A family preparing a modest Christmas meal might spend more than double what they did a year ago. Similarly, in Kenya, transportation costs surge during the festive season as urban residents travel back to rural areas, making travel an additional financial strain.

While the specifics vary from country to country, one thing is clear, Christmas is a big deal across the continent, and Africans are willing to spend to make the season memorable. Many African families dedicate significant portions of their income to ensure the holiday is a memorable celebration. Expenditures typically cover gifts, food, travel, and decorations.

In a previous article, we highlighted how decorations play a significant role in festive spending for many. Data from 2022 revealed that Cameroonians allocated just over half of their holiday budget—an impressive 50%—to decorations, outspending other African nations in this category. Rwanda followed with 38%.

According to data from WorldRemit, Nigeria tops the list of African countries with the highest Christmas spending, with households averaging $309 on celebrations, including meals, gifts, and decorations