Aviation in West Africa : In Lomé, ECOWAS to advocate for reduced airfare costs and improved connectivity
Lomé, November 4, 2024 – (©AfreePress) – The Togolese capital will host a series of high-level meetings from November 5 to 8, 2024, organized by ECOWAS and gathering aviation ministers, directors of civil authorities, and representatives from the West African aviation industry. These meetings aim to address strategic issues in West African air transport, particularly the reduction of airfare and tax costs through coordinated reforms. This initiative, prompted by a directive from the 65th Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in July 2024, seeks to strengthen regional connectivity while facilitating economic exchanges and population mobility.
The sessions will begin with technical consultations among experts from November 5 to 7, preparing for the ministerial session scheduled for November 8. Discussions will focus on concrete actions to ease operational costs for airlines, harmonize safety standards, and increase the accessibility of regional flights. These reforms are central to ECOWAS’s vision of greater integration in West Africa, facilitating commercial and social exchanges.
Studies conducted by ECOWAS indicate that high taxation in the region—including airport fees, navigation charges, and government taxes—significantly increases ticket costs, hindering the growth of civil aviation. This financial burden makes local airlines less competitive compared to foreign carriers. By reducing air transport costs, ECOWAS aims to promote the growth of the tourism and commercial sectors and improve access to essential services such as healthcare and education, in line with the frameworks of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Expectations are high for the outcome of the Lomé talks, which are anticipated to produce key recommendations for the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in December 2024 and the upcoming Heads of State and Government Summit. If adopted, these recommendations could mark a turning point for West African aviation, providing a sustainable and inclusive model for the entire region.
About ECOWAS
Established on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) includes fifteen member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo. Spanning 5.2 million km², ECOWAS is a major player in African integration. Its mission is to promote economic cooperation and stability among its members, with the goal of enhancing the standard of living for their populations and spurring development across the continent.
In 2007, ECOWAS strengthened its role by transitioning to a Commission, marking a new step toward a “People’s ECOWAS: Peace and Prosperity for All” by 2050. Serving the 300 million citizens of the region, it works to remove barriers to integration and achieve a truly unified West African economy.
Olivier ADJA