Transforming Air Travel in West Africa: ECOWAS Parliament’s Bold Move to Reduce Taxes and Boost Regional Connectivity Introduction In a significant step toward fostering regional integration and economic competitiveness, the ECOWAS Parliamentarians convened in Lomé, Togo from May 6 to 9, 2025, and adopted far-reaching recommendations aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across West Africa. At the heart of these deliberations was a shared recognition: that the current air transport tax regime in West Africa is a major barrier to accessibility, affordability, and the growth of intra-regional trade and tourism. Key Resolutions Adopted The parliamentarians proposed sweeping fiscal and regulatory reforms, effective from January 1, 2026, including: Elimination of Four Major Taxes: Ticket Tax Tourism Tax Solidarity Tax Foreign Travel Tax Reduction of Service Fees: 25% reduction in passenger service charges 25% reduction in airport security charges Institutional Proposals: Development of a harmonized tax and fee regulatory framework Creation of a regional aviation support fund for airlines Establishment of a single West African airspace to reduce duplication and optimize infrastructure usage Economic Rationale and Urgency ECOWAS lawmakers presented compelling data-driven evidence: Taxes and fees in ECOWAS are 103% higher than in comparable regions. Security-related charges exceed global averages by 70% Government-imposed taxes are 47.4% above international norms These levies inflate ticket prices by: 20% on domestic routes 48.6% on regional flights 36.5% on international connections This cost burden deters air travel, undermines the Yamoussoukro Decision on African air liberalization, and erodes the potential for trade, tourism, and economic mobility within the region. Strategic Implications for Regional Integration Fanta Conté, co-president of the presidium, emphasized the urgency of making air transport “accessible and competitive.” Indeed, affordable aviation is a catalyst for integration—supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), boosting MSME access to regional markets, and connecting landlocked nations to the global economy. The establishment of a single airspace, aligned with ICAO standards, could: Enhance route efficiency Reduce overhead costs Promote inter-airline cooperation Improve safety oversight and passenger experience Political Will: The Missing Link While the recommendations are economically sound and technically feasible, Mamadou Sako, co-chair of the joint infrastructure committee, candidly stated that the true challenge is political. He called for a “firm and collective will” among ECOWAS governments to implement the reforms, stressing that the data is clear and actionable. Way Forward: Oversight and Accountability To ensure implementation, lawmakers advocated for the establishment of a monitoring committee guided by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) benchmarks. This body would track reforms, coordinate national aviation agencies, and report compliance levels across member states. Conclusion This landmark session of the ECOWAS Parliament signals a paradigm shift in the regional aviation discourse—from fragmented national interests to collaborative, people-centered air policy reform. If member states follow through, West Africa could witness a new era of affordable, efficient, and integrated air travel, unlocking significant gains for commerce, mobility, and development. The next six months will test regional political maturity—whether vision can translate into action, and whether West African skies can finally reflect the aspirations of its people. Olatunji Abdulrazaq CNA, ACTI, ACIArb(UK) Founder/CEO, Taxmobile.Online