The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to abolish air transport taxes effective January 1, 2026, as part of a broad effort to reduce the cost of air travel across the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the regional bloc also revealed that aviation charges related to passengers and security will be reduced by 25% beginning next year.
According to ECOWAS, the policy shift follows a resolution adopted by the Heads of State and Government during their December 2024 summit in Abuja.
The organisation explained that the initiative addresses “long-standing concerns about the high cost of flying in West Africa,” which it said has negatively impacted tourism, trade, and the free movement of people and goods within the sub-region.
ECOWAS expressed confidence that the reforms would promote economic growth and regional connectivity, stating that they would result in “lower airfares, increased passenger traffic, stronger regional airlines and deeper regional integration.”
To ensure compliance and effectiveness, ECOWAS added that a dedicated oversight mechanism will be established to monitor the implementation of these measures across all member states.
