Economic Community of West African States Abolishes Air Taxes

The ECOWAS (ECOWAS) has announced a landmark decision to abolish all air ticket taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 percent across its member states, effective January 1, 2026. This policy, adopted at the December 2024 Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, aims to make air travel more affordable and enhance regional integration. Chris Appiah, Director of Transport and Telecommunications at the ECOWAS Commission, explained that the move follows years of research indicating West Africa has the most expensive air transport services on the continent, largely due to government-imposed taxes and charges that suppress demand and hinder economic growth. The initiative is expected to stimulate demand, boost trade, tourism, and ultimately increase government revenue, while also making West African airlines more competitive compared to those in other African regions like Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and Royal Air Maroc.