The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved the removal of all air ticket taxes across airports in the sub-region starting January 1, 2026, a major move expected to lower airfares and improve regional travel.
The decision was confirmed by Chris Appiah, ECOWAS Director of Transport and Communications, during the ECOWAS Council of Ministers’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to Appiah, the tax removal is part of a broader aviation reform package adopted by ECOWAS Heads of State in December 2024.
West Africa Has Africa’s Costliest Air Travel
Appiah said a decade of studies showed that excessive taxes and charges are the main reason air travel is extremely expensive in West Africa. “In West Africa, 64 per cent to 70 per cent of a typical ticket price is made up of taxes and charges,” he said.
He added that these charges violate International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines and suppress passenger demand. “From 1st January 2026, all member states have agreed to remove taxes on air transport.”
Transport Costs Hurting Regional Integration
Appiah noted that air travel is critical to trade, tourism, education, and healthcare across the sub-region.
He highlighted the burden on traders and businesses: “A Lagos-Dakar trader may pay no less than $3,000 for tickets, and a lot of that is taxes.”
He said reducing ticket costs is essential for true regional integration, which depends on seamless movement across ECOWAS borders.
Airlines to Adjust Fares Downward
Appiah confirmed that ECOWAS is already engaging airlines to ensure the tax removal leads to real fare reductions. “We are working with airlines to ensure that once taxes and charges are removed, ticket prices drop so West Africans can travel freely.”
He noted that other African regions enjoy cheaper fares because they impose far fewer charges.
Implementation Work in Progress
ECOWAS is collaborating with member states, national assemblies, and aviation stakeholders to prepare for the January 2026 rollout.
Appiah added: “Our charges are sometimes 67 per cent higher than other regions, which is why airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and Royal Air Maroc thrive while our region struggles.”
A Landmark Decision for West African Aviation
The Heads of State adopted the tax-removal policy at their December 2024 summit, calling it a critical step toward revitalising a sector weakened by years of over-taxation and slow growth.
What You Should Know
The move comes as ECOWAS intensifies efforts to stabilise a region facing heightened political and security tensions.
This week, the bloc:
- Declared a state of emergency over rising coups and instability
- Ordered the deployment of its standby force to Benin after a foiled coup attempt
