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
Except for Tunisia entering the Top 10 at Libya’s expense, and Morocco moving up to sixth ahead of A...
Circular migration is based on structured, value-added mobility between countries of origin and host...
BRVM listed the bonds of the FCTC Sonabhy 8.1% 2025–2031, marking Burkina Faso’s first securitiz...
CBE introduced CBE Connect in partnership with fintech StarPay. The platform enables cross-border...
President Tinubu approved incentives limited to the Bonga South West oil project. The project tar...
Madagascar launched the ASAN’AI program to train 1,300 people for digital customer relations and BPO jobs. Authorities aim to train tens of thousands...
Lucara Diamond closed a C$165 million ($121 million) equity financing to support the expansion of its Karowe diamond mine in Botswana. The...
Tanzania invested $9 million in irrigation equipment to accelerate nationwide irrigation projects. The government plans to drill 500 irrigation...
Niger’s telecom regulator launched a real-time monitoring platform to strengthen technical, economic, and regulatory oversight of mobile...
The Khomani Cultural Landscape is a cultural site located in northern South Africa, in the Northern Cape province, near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park....
Three African productions secured places among the 22 films competing for the Golden Bear at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Berlinale...