Lomé, July 3, 2026 (©AfreePress) – Civil aviation authorities from the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Lomé on July 2–3 for the inaugural meeting of the ECOWAS Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (ECATEOC), marking the official launch of the implementation of the Supplementary Act adopted on December 15, 2024, in Abuja.
The new regional framework provides for the abolition of several taxes and a minimum 25 percent reduction in key aviation charges, with the objective of making air travel more affordable, strengthening competition among airlines, and accelerating the integration of West Africa’s air transport market.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ECOWAS Commission Vice-President Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja commended the commitment demonstrated by Togo and other ECOWAS member states, describing the meeting as a historic milestone in the implementation of the Community’s policy to improve the accessibility, competitiveness and integration of air transport across West Africa.
According to the ECOWAS Commission, eliminating the targeted taxes and reducing passenger service and aviation security charges by 25 percent could lower airfares by as much as 40 percent. The reform is also expected to stimulate passenger demand, attract new airlines—including low-cost carriers—and significantly increase regional air traffic.
In his opening address, Togo’s Minister of Transport, Comla Kadjé, stressed that West Africa remains one of the most expensive regions in the world for air travel. He called for transforming the region’s airspace into a catalyst for economic integration, trade and mobility, while reaffirming Togo’s commitment to implementing the Community’s decisions.
Speaking to AfreePress, Senegal’s Director of Air Transport, Souléman Gueye, said his country had already introduced a series of reforms aimed at lowering aviation costs, including reductions in aviation charges and the implementation of the Senegal–Gambia domestic air transport arrangement. He expressed confidence that the effective implementation of the Supplementary Act would, over the medium term, substantially reduce airfares throughout the ECOWAS region.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Togo’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC-Togo), Colonel Idrissou Abdou Ahabou, said Togo had gone beyond the Community’s requirements. He disclosed that the administrative cost of establishing a new airline in the country had been reduced from approximately CFA 200 million to CFA 3.5 million—a reduction of more than 90 percent. The measure is intended to attract new operators, foster greater competition and ultimately deliver lower fares for air travellers.
The Committee is now expected to oversee the harmonised implementation of ECOWAS decisions, promote the alignment of national aviation policies, and regularly assess the impact of the reforms on air transport costs and regional economic integration.
Olivier A.
