ECOWAS orders 25% cut in air transport charges from January 2026

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has directed member states to fully implement a 25 percent reduction in regional air transport charges with effect from January 1, 2026.

The directive was issued at the bloc’s 68th ordinary session held on Sunday in Abuja.

ECOWAS leaders said the decision was aimed at addressing persistently high airfares across the subregion and improving regional connectivity. A resolution to cut passenger and security charges by 25 percent was first adopted in June following sustained increases in ticket prices.

According to the African Airlines Association’s 2024 study on taxes and charges, West Africa is the most expensive region in Africa to fly from, with travellers paying an average of $109.5 in taxes, charges and fees on international departures in 2022.

Read Also: Nigeria secures $1bn fund to boost maritime start-ups, blue economy

The report ranked Gabon as the most expensive country for air travel taxes, charges and fees, followed by Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Niger Republic, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, Guinea and Ghana also featured among the top 10.

Despite the high cost of air travel, Central and West Africa together accounted for 18.5 percent of Africa’s total air traffic in the first quarter of 2025, making the region the continent’s third-largest aviation market.

In a communique issued after the summit, ECOWAS also directed member states to remove taxes levied on air transport services, citing international aviation standards.

The bloc said the directive aligns with the principles and procedures of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which discourage non-transparent and unrelated taxation of air transport services.

ECOWAS leaders mandated the commission to work closely with national ministries of finance and air transport to ensure uniform and strict compliance across all member states.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date