The Economic Community of West African States,ECOWAS, has announced plans to abolish air ticket tax across all airports in the sub-region beginning January 2026, a move expected to significantly reduce the cost of air travel for millions of passengers.
Chris Appiah, ECOWAS Director of Transport and Communications, at the Council of Ministers’ meeting in Abuja said the decision stemmed from a regional policy approved by Heads of State and Government in December 2024.
Appiah stressed that the initiative is designed to make air travel more affordable and to strengthen economic integration within West Africa.
He noted that high airfares in the region are largely driven by heavy government taxes and multiple aviation charges, which have over the years inflated ticket costs far beyond continental averages.
He explained that various studies conducted over the last decade established that West Africa has the most expensive air transport services in Africa. On many routes, he said taxes and charges account for between 64 per cent and 70 per cent of the price of an air ticket.
From January 2026, member states are expected to eliminate all taxes on air transport, a step that aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation,ICAO, guidelines.
Appiah emphasised that the current tax structure suppresses travel demand and hinders growth across critical sectors such as tourism, health and education.
He painted a stark picture of the impact on regional trade, citing the example of traders travelling between Lagos and Dakar who spend at least $3,000 on tickets—much of it driven by taxes.
Also Read: ECOWAS raises red flag on regional instability
He stressed that these high costs work against the region’s long-term development goals and weaken connectivity within member countries.
The ECOWAS official also stated that the bloc is engaging airlines to ensure that fare reductions follow once tax reforms take effect.
He pointed out that carriers operating in other African sub-regions enjoy better performance because they operate under more favourable tax regimes.
Efforts are now underway with member states, national parliaments and aviation industry stakeholders to ensure full implementation before the 2026 deadline.
Appiah noted that charges in West Africa are currently about 67 per cent higher than those in other parts of the continent, a disparity that has contributed to the commercial success of airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways and Royal Air Maroc while West African carriers struggle.
The ECOWAS Heads of State had adopted the airfare tax severance during their December 2024 Summit in Abuja as part of measures to revive the region’s underperforming aviation sector.
Years of heavy taxes, fees and charges have stalled growth and restricted the free movement of people, goods and services — a key pillar of ECOWAS’ integration agenda.
With the new policy, the bloc hopes to stimulate demand, boost connectivity and create a more competitive air transport market for West Africans.
NAN
