Members of West African Business Communities (ECOWAS) are being asked to adopt a new regional strategy to eliminate all taxes on air travel in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
This advice was given by the Aviation Expert Committee at the delocalization meeting of the Sixth Parliament of the Joint Committee on Natural Resources of the Ekowas Parliament held in Lome, Togo.
In another development, the ECOWAS Community of Justice launched a groundbreaking external session in Lagos on Thursday, reaffirming West Africa's commitment to justice, regional integration and human rights protection.
At the opening ceremony of the conference, Judge Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonsalbu of the Ecowas Court thanked the government and the people of Lagos for their warm hospitality and support.
The meeting attracted high-ranking officials from across the region, reflecting the growing court's view and influence.
ECOWAS also proposed a 25% reduction in airport passenger services and security fees effective from January 1, 2026, following consultations with airport and civil aviation authorities.
The committee emphasized that savings from these measures should be reflected in the ticket pricing structure and should encourage airlines to pass on benefits to consumers.
Airports were encouraged to adopt business-friendly practices to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase non-call revenue streams.
The oversight committee was expected to be established by June to monitor implementation, but the full proposal awaits for formal approval in the powers of the ECOWAS Head of State in the coming months.
According to a report submitted by consultants for review, local organs should ensure that airports adopt business practices that can cover a 25% reduction.
Chris Appiah, the ECOWAS Committee's Transportation Director, highlighted the changeable potential of policy while speaking with journalists.
Appiah said cancelling certain taxes and reducing fees by 25% could stimulate demand for air travel in sub-regions by up to 40%.
He said, “We conducted a comprehensive study and found that ECOWAS airports charge significantly more than their counterparts elsewhere in Africa. They increased by up to 103% in passenger service charges and 53% in security charges.”
He explained that the policy is intended to remove taxes that do not comply with ICAO standards such as security and tourism tax, and to ensure a transparent pricing structure. “You don't tax air transport to promote tourism. It beats the purpose.”
This policy dates back to Abuja's 2014 ECOWAS Heads of State Summit. There, the leaders recognized the economic implications of exorbitant airfares and entrusted the committee with the development of solutions.
Working with global and regional partners such as IATA, AFRAA, AFCAC and the African Union, ECOWAS has developed a harmonious strategy tailored to international best practices.
Appiah revealed that the simulations reveal that air traffic in the region could skyrocket by more than 40% within a year of implementing the proposed changes, generating more than $500 million in additional revenue.
“Cutting fees doesn't reduce revenues, rather it increases by stimulating demand,” he said.
He pointed out that Africa's top-performing airports and airlines (mainly north, east and south Africa) operate under the zero tax system of air transport services.
In contrast, Ekowas Airport is behind, with only Lagos and Accra appearing on the top 10 busiest in-Africa routes.
However, implementation depends on individual member states.
“ECOWAS leads the adjustments, but each government must involve the Treasury and Congress to remove identified taxes and reduce fees.”
This strategy also includes pushing for better collaboration between airlines through code sharing and joint ventures. This allows passengers to travel around the region using multiple carriers on a single ticket, reducing operational costs and increasing efficiency.
“For example, Air Peace can work with Asky or AirCôte D'Ivoire to serve more cost-effective local routes,” Appiah said. “This is a standard practice in aviation around the world and will help to significantly reduce fares,” he added.
He further emphasized the importance of private sector leadership in the air transport industry. Appiah said, “Government-run airlines often suffer from inefficiency and bureaucracy. The best outcome comes when the public sector creates an enablement environment and the private sector handles operations.”
Citing successful models like Ethiopian airlines, Appia said that even state-owned airlines need to prosper independently of government bureaucracy.
“What we need is a performance-driven approach, through national, regional or continental aviation,” he said.
With all member states signed the ICAO treaty, Ecowas considers its regional air transport policy to align global best practices and ripe to lock the possibilities of West Africa's sky for business, tourism and integration.
In his keynote address, Goncalves said, “This external session is important to our mission. It approaches grassroots, raises a general understanding of the legal process, and strengthens the relationship between courts and national judiciary.”
An external session approved under Article 26 of the ECOWAS Court's Protocol allows the court to sit outside of Abuja Head Office.
This week, the court will hear more than 35 cases, including 12 ECOWAS Member States, spanning issues such as human rights violations, administrative disputes and regional governance.
Lagos Governor Babajdesanwol welcomed the court, commended his role in making justice accessible.
“The external sessions of the ECOWAS court do more than adjudication. They educate. They show that everyone has the right to defend transparently and fairly,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Nigerian Supreme Court Justice and Chair of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, this Justice Kudirat Mo Kekere-Ekun, called the session a testament to the court's commitment to accessibility, transparency and local solidarity.
Kekere-Ekun outlined four main objectives of the court. It includes expanding access to the judiciary, promoting judicial cooperation, increasing public awareness, and strengthening institutional trust.
She emphasized the importance of enforcing the court's decision, saying, “The credibility of the judicial system lies not only in its quality of its judgment, but in its faithful enforcement. Without it, our treaties are mere words, and the protocol is Idl's promise.”
Judge Kazeem Alogba, the Supreme Court justice of Lagos, stressed the need for continued cooperation between national and regional courts.
“As pacesetter justice, we will continue to help us in our efforts to find effective and viable enforcement solutions,” Alogba said.
Once the process begins, legal experts and observers are expected to benefit from an open session aimed at increasing public engagement with local law and human rights.
The session continues throughout the week.
Michael Orgbour and Wale Igvintade
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