West African parliamentarians convened in Lomé to deliberate on the progress of reforms initiated by sector ministers aimed at reducing the high cost of air travel, harmonizing aviation taxes, and fostering greater regional integration through enhanced air connectivity.
Following a high-level ministerial meeting held in Lomé in November 2024, the Ecowas Parliament commenced a five-day session in the Togolese capital on Tuesday, May 6th. The session’s primary objective is to provide parliamentary oversight and support for strategic decisions designed to make air travel more affordable across West Africa.
Under the theme “Air Transport as a Lever for the Integration of West African Peoples: Strategies for Reducing Airfare Costs,” the session brings together the Parliament’s committees on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines/Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources. Their goal is to relay, refine, and strengthen the guidelines previously established by Ecowas sector ministers. Parliamentarians are specifically examining recommendations stemming from expert consultations and ministerial discussions, which highlighted the excessive burden of fees, taxes, and charges that currently account for nearly 50 percent of the price of an airline ticket within the region. The overarching objective is to harmonize these charges at the community level through a complementary regional law that aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
“Prohibitive airline ticket prices compromise our ambition for regional integration,” warned MP Ayao Dzreke, while commending the commitment of Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbe. This sentiment was echoed by the President of the Community Parliament, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, who emphasized the significance of holding the session in Lomé. She noted that Togo’s Head of State, recently appointed President of the Council as part of the establishment of the Fifth Republic, has been designated as the Champion of the Single African Air Transport Market. These concerted efforts directly respond to the directives issued by the Ecowas Conference of Heads of State during their July 2024 meeting, which called for concrete actions to improve the accessibility of air travel. Measures already implemented include a 25 percent reduction in passenger and security charges, the elimination of taxes not compliant with ICAO regulations, and the establishment of regional aviation safety regulations.
The Ecowas Commissioner for Infrastructure, Sediko Douka, stressed the urgent need to align tax policies with international standards, pointing out that current high costs impede intra-regional trade and restrict the mobility of citizens within the bloc.
Furthermore, plans are underway to establish a regional monitoring committee, an aircraft leasing company, and a regional maintenance center to provide support to airlines and enhance the sector’s overall competitiveness. Member states have a deadline of January 1, 2026, to implement these crucial reforms. This parliamentary work is expected to solidify the technical and political decisions already made and to formulate further recommendations to be presented at the next Summit of Heads of State. A strong regional momentum is now building to transform air transport into a genuine catalyst for growth and deeper integration across West Africa.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA