ECOWAS to Eliminate Air Ticket Taxes from January 2026

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that it will abolish all air ticket taxes at airports across the subregion starting January 1, 2026. This major policy shift is aimed at reducing the high cost of air travel in West Africa, which is among the most expensive on the continent.

Chris Appiah, ECOWAS Director of Transport and Communications, confirmed the decision following its approval by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in December 2024. He explained that years of technical studies revealed that 64 to 70 percent of a typical airline ticket in West Africa is composed of taxes and government imposed charges, a figure substantially higher than in other African regions.

Appiah stated that these taxes are inconsistent with International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines and suppress demand rather than support the growth of air travel. The removal of taxes is central to the ECOWAS integration agenda, which depends on affordable and seamless connectivity to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services.

He highlighted how prohibitive airfares currently hinder trade and mobility, noting that a flight from Lagos to Dakar, for example, can cost over $3,000 largely due to taxes. ECOWAS is already engaging with airlines to ensure the resulting cost savings are passed on to passengers in the form of lower fares.

Appiah also pointed out that carriers in other African regions benefit from significantly lower charges, enabling their growth and competitiveness, while West African operators struggle under a heavy fiscal burden. The tax elimination is expected to stimulate the regional aviation market and enhance economic integration.