Members of ECOWAS Parliament are meeting in Lome, Togo to find a way to reduce rising cost of air travel within West Africa, an issue identified as a major impediment to regional integration.
Giving a keynote address at the opening session of the meeting which has in attendance parliamentary joint committee, the Vice-President of the Togolese National Assembly, Dzereke Yao, who welcomed delegates on behalf of the country’s legislative leaders, praised the timing and relevance of the theme. He said the air transport challenge must be urgently addressed to foster stronger economic and human connections among ECOWAS citizens.
He noted that the prohibitive airfare costs were undermining the region’s integration aspirations, stating that: “This paradoxical situation merits our attention because our community boasts considerable potential, whether in population size, economic growth, or youthful dynamism.”
The Vice President also acknowledged President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé for his pan-African leadership, which he said has positioned Togo as a trusted partner in ECOWAS initiatives. He added that Togo remains committed to supporting aviation-driven integration efforts through infrastructure and policy development.
Delegates were reminded that the outcome of the five-day meeting should go beyond discussion.
He said: “I therefore hope that it will lead to solid, pragmatic, and ambitious recommendations,” adding that a competitive and open airspace would benefit all citizens in the region.
Togo’s geographical location and modern facilities, he said, give the country a strategic edge in facilitating regional air mobility.
The Vice President emphasized the importance of translating political will into sustainable reforms that will boost connectivity and unlock economic opportunities across the sub-region.
