ECOWAS leaders took the groundbreaking decision to facilitate the reduction of expensive air travel and air ticket in the West Africa region by 25% by 1st of January 2026. This is March 2026: the taxes have remained; the air tickets have remained expensive. A big disappointment in the region, and no explanation hitherto.
By Gabriel Baglo
The landmark decision made at the December 2024 ECOWAS Summit was to reduce the high air travel costs within West Africa, starting January 1, 2026. Member States were supposed to abolish certain non-cost-related air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25%. The policy was aimed at boosting regional connectivity and tourism.
The decision targeted the reduction of passenger and security charges by 25% and the elimination of specific levies not directly linked to aviation services.
The goal was to lower the cost of air travel, which has historically been elevated by taxes forming up to 70% of ticket prices.
Regarding the challenges of the implementation of the decision which was scheduled for January 2026, experts have noted that as of early 2026, many member states have not fully converted the directive into national regulations, and some have even introduced new taxes.
West and Central Africa have remained the most expensive regions to travel in Africa. Governments have established very unwarranted taxes that have made it extremely difficult for ordinary citizens to travel in and from the region.
I have family in Spain and family in Togo, and these are countries where I love to enjoy my holidays. Unfortunately, my 3 hours air travel round trip to Togo costs more than my ticket to Spain. Therefore, I prefer spending my holidays in Barcelona, Spain” complained Adama Diop, a Senegalese frequent traveller.
The cost of the ticket Senegal-Spain is about XOF 300.000 (600USD) for a trip of about 5 hours. On the other hand, for the 3 hours trip Senegal-Togo, the cost of ticket this early March is XOF 443700 (about 900 USD), with more than half of the cost consisting of taxes plus fees and other imposed charges.
Fare XOF 207200
Taxes/Fees/Carrier-Imposed Charges
XOF 12400 YQF (Service Fee – Carrier-Imposed Fuel)
XOF 110200 YRF (Service Fee – Carrier-Imposed Fuel)
XOF 10000 DF (Security Charge)
XOF 15000 ZE (Passenger Service Charge)
XOF 35500 HP (Infrastructure Development Charge)
XOF 3000 KQ (Civil Aviation Charge)
XOF 6700 VH (Immigration User Fee)
XOF 6700 VH2 (VH2)
XOF 5000 VO (Passenger Service Charge)
XOF 3000 YG (Security Tax)
XOF 3000 YH (Embarkation Tax)
XOF 10000 ZT (Aeronautical Development Charge)
XOF 13000 SM (Infrastructure Development Charge – RDIA)
XOF 1500 J8 (J8)
XOF 1500 J82 (J82)
Total XOF 443700
Fare XOF 207200 + Taxes/Fees/Carrier-Imposed Charges = Total XOF 443700.
The African Civil Aviation Commission (AfCAC: www.afcac.org ), during a sensitisation workshop for the media on 03 March 2026, identified the dysfunctions that have crippled the civil aviation industry in Africa, especially in West and Central Africa.
Mr Stephen Musa, the Programme Manager of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) at AfCAC, in his presentation attempted to elaborate on “why African airfares have remained expensive”. He noted that the “High airfares in Africa reflect a fragile aviation ecosystem facing persistent headwinds, rather than simply airlines raising prices.” Mr Musa also highlighted several challenges that have constrained the industry, and discouraged travel within the region.
The fuel costs: “Jet fuel 20-30% more expensive than global average”.
Taxes and fees “represent 30-50% of ticket price: charges twice as high as Europe.”
Fragmented markets: “Restricted access, underserved routes, limited economies of scale.”
Financial frictions: “Forex instability, supply delays, visa restrictions driving hidden costs”.
In response to these challenges, the African Union established, in 2015, a platform to address these complexities of air transport on the Continent: the Single African Air Transport Market. Officially launched in 2018, SAATM aims to boost regional integration and promote intra- African connectivity by creating a unified air transport market across the continent.
SAATM has been mandated to implement the “Yamoussoukro Decision”, YD: a landmark agreement adopted by the Africa Union that calls on member States and stakeholders to liberalise air transport services in Africa.
Looking at the pledges and ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, the general public still awaits the full implementation of SAATM and the Yamoussoukro Decision which remains incomplete. The general public further awaits the anticipated benefits regarding reduced travel costs and accessibility to different countries.
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