ECOWAS Launches Regional Air Transport Oversight Committee to Drive Affordable, Integrated Aviation, Holds Meeting As step towards lower airfares in West Africa By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step towards transforming regional aviation with the inauguration of the ECOWAS Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee (ECATEOC) during a two-day meeting held from July 2 to 3, 2026, at Hotel 2 Février in Lomé, Togo. The meeting is part of the ECOWAS Regional Air Transport Development Programme aimed at promoting affordable, competitive and integrated air transport across West Africa.
The meeting, hosted and facilitated by the ECOWAS Commission, brought together aviation regulators, transport experts, policymakers, airline stakeholders and representatives of Member States to operationalise a regional economic oversight mechanism that will monitor reforms and improve the performance of the aviation sector.
The presentation displayed at the opening session identified the event as the inaugural meeting of the ECOWAS Air Transport Common Oversight Committee (ECATEOC) under the Regional Air Transport Development Programme, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to implementing regional aviation policies.
The committee is expected to oversee the implementation of key ECOWAS decisions, including measures to reduce the cost of air travel, harmonise aviation regulations, strengthen market oversight and support the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative.
The Lomé meeting follows landmark ECOWAS decisions requiring Member States to abolish certain air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 per cent to make flying within West Africa more affordable and stimulate regional trade, tourism and investment.
Officials said the establishment of the oversight committee will ensure effective monitoring of these reforms while promoting transparency, fair competition and improved connectivity among ECOWAS countries.
According to ECOWAS, the committee will also help strengthen economic regulation of the aviation industry, encourage greater cooperation among civil aviation authorities and create an enabling environment for airlines operating within the region.
The initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks deeper regional integration through efficient transport systems that facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services across West Africa.
Industry experts believe that improved air connectivity will boost intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhance business opportunities and position West Africa as a more competitive aviation market.
The inauguration of the ECOWAS Air Transport Economic Oversight Committee is therefore being viewed as a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to modernise its aviation sector, improve safety and economic oversight, reduce operational costs and make air travel more accessible to millions of West Africans.
With the committee now formally inaugurated, attention will shift to the implementation of agreed reforms by Member States and the monitoring role of ECATEOC in ensuring that the objectives of a safe, affordable and integrated regional air transport system are achieved.
