Could ECOWAS Finally Make Flying Cheaper in West Africa?
By Naija Enquirer Staff
For many West Africans, flying between neighbouring countries is often more expensive than travelling to Europe or the Middle East. That reality, however, may soon begin to change.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it plans to remove taxes on airline tickets across its 15 member states from January 2026, a move officials believe could significantly reduce some of the highest airfares on the continent.
The decision, approved by heads of state at the ECOWAS summit in December 2024, targets the multiple taxes and charges added to air tickets—levies which the bloc says account for as much as 70 per cent of the final fare.
“These taxes suppress demand. They do not support growth,” ECOWAS Director of Transport and Communications, Chris Appiah, said while speaking in Abuja.
Why Short Flights Cost So Much
Air travel within West Africa has long frustrated traders, business travellers and tourists. A return flight between cities such as Lagos and Dakar can cost several times more than the average monthly income in many countries in the region.
ECOWAS argues that high ticket prices have discouraged trade, limited tourism and undermined its core objective of free movement of people and goods. Airlines, faced with low passenger volumes and high operating costs, have typically passed these charges directly on to travellers.
The result is a paradox in which some of Africa’s shortest international routes are among the most expensive.
What Passengers Are Paying Now
On popular routes, airfare costs already present a major barrier. Flights from Nigeria to Ghana often run into hundreds of thousands of naira for a return ticket, while trips to Côte d’Ivoire or Senegal can be even more expensive depending on demand, season and airline.
Industry analysts note that fares frequently spike during holidays and for last-minute bookings, while indirect flights operated by non-regional carriers can be significantly more costly.
ECOWAS believes that removing ticket taxes could immediately reduce prices—provided airlines pass the savings on to passengers.
Will Cheaper Flights Really Follow?
The regional bloc says it is already engaging airlines and national aviation authorities to ensure the policy is properly enforced once it takes effect. However, past attempts to harmonise aviation policy have often faced resistance from governments that rely heavily on airport and ticket taxes for revenue.
Some analysts caution that removing levies alone may not be sufficient. Limited competition, ageing airport infrastructure and high aviation fuel costs could still keep fares elevated.
Even so, supporters describe the move as a rare opportunity to unlock regional mobility. If fully implemented, the policy could reshape air travel in West Africa—making it easier for millions of people to trade, work and move across borders in a region where distance has often been measured more by cost than by geography.
