(Ecofin Agency) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliamentarians met in Lomé from May 6 to 9, 2025. They adopted recommendations to lower air ticket prices across West Africa. They urged governments to scrap several taxes starting January 1, 2026, to cut air travel costs.

At the session’s close in Lomé, lawmakers demanded the removal of four taxes: ticket tax, tourism tax, solidarity tax, and foreign travel tax. They also pushed for a 25% cut in passenger service and airport security charges.

Fanta Conté, co-president of the presidium, declared, “It is imperative to act to make air transport accessible and competitive.” 

The parliamentarians aim for a deep reform of air transport taxation. They proposed a regulatory framework to cap taxes and fees, create a regional fund to support airlines, and establish a single West African airspace. This airspace would pool infrastructure and lower operating costs.

The meeting’s data showed ECOWAS taxes and fees are 103% higher than other regions. Security costs exceed global averages by 70%, and government taxes by 47.4%. These surcharges push ticket prices up by 20% on domestic flights, 48.6% on regional routes, and 36.5% on international flights.

Mamadou Sako, co-chairman of ECOWAS Parliament’s joint infrastructure committee, called the issue political. “The facts are in, and the solutions have been identified. What is needed now is a firm and collective will to turn this corner and strengthen regional integration,” Sako said.

The parliamentarians also pleaded for the establishment of a monitoring committee to ensure these measures follow the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho