The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has directed member states to fully implement the 25 percent reduction in regional air transport charges from January 1, 2026.
The directive was issued at the 68th Ordinary Session of the block held in Abuja on Sunday.
ECOWAS leaders said the decision aims to address persistently high airfares across the subregion and improve regional connectivity. The proposal to cut passenger and security charges by 25 percent was first adopted in June after a sustained rise in ticket prices.
West Africa is the most expensive region in Africa to fly to, with travelers paying an average of $109.5 in taxes, duties and fees on international departures in 2022, according to the African Airlines Association's 2024 study on taxes and fees.
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The report ranked Gabon as the most expensive country in terms of air travel taxes, duties and fees, followed by Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Niger Republic, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, Guinea and Ghana also feature in 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 communiqué issued after the summit, ECOWAS also directed member states to remove taxes imposed on air transport services, citing international aviation standards.
The bloc said the directive is in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles and procedures, which discourage non-transparent and unrelated taxation of air transport services.
ECOWAS leaders ordered the Commission to work closely with national ministries of finance and air transport to ensure uniform and strict compliance in all Member States.
