The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are concerned about the ridiculously high cost of air travel within the region thereby pointing it out as one of the highest on the continent.
The Authority of Heads of State disclosed the 65th Ordinary Session which took place on July 7, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, held under the chairmanship of the President of Nigeria and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The authority emphasized that the issue has hindered the development of tourism, trade, and the free movement of people and services.
The Authority however, directed Air Transport Ministers and Civil Aviation Authorities of Member States to collaborate with the ECOWAS Commission to implement the ECOWAS Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes, and Fees to leverage air transport to expedite economic development and deepen regional integration.
Addressing obstacles to the free movement of goods was another priority and the Authority instructed the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Task Force, with the Commission’s support, to accelerate measures facilitating the free movement of persons and goods along regional corridors.
The Authority also welcomed the operationalization of the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) noting, “This digital platform is designed to secure the movement of goods, combat fraud, and improve customs revenue mobilization. Member States are encouraged to adopt SIGMAT, with the Commission providing technical assistance for its full deployment.”
To regularly map out the macroeconomic convergence path for Member States and the Community, the Authority emphasized the importance of Member States transmitting their Multi-Year Convergence Programs (MYCPs) to the Commission.
These programs are crucial for planning and coordination and the Authority invited all Member States to submit their MYCPs for the period 2025-2029 by October 31, 2024. An update on the transmission of the MYCPs will be provided at the next Ordinary Session.
Among other issues, the Heads of State also reviewed the conclusions from the second meeting of the High-Level Committee on the Practical Modalities for the creation of the ECO, the proposed single currency for the region. Commending the Committee’s report, the Authority decided to maintain the Stability and Macroeconomic Convergence Pact among ECOWAS Member States.
The Commission was directed to draft a Supplementary Act defining the modalities for Member State’s participation in the Monetary Union, to be presented at the first Ordinary Session in 2025.
The Authority further instructed the Commission, in conjunction with the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), to conduct a cost assessment and identify sources and modalities of financing for the establishment of institutions needed for the ECO.
The 65th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government addressed critical issues impacting the region, from the high cost of air travel and obstacles to the free movement of goods to the roadmap for macroeconomic convergence and the creation of a single currency.
These resolutions underscore ECOWAS’s commitment to fostering regional integration, economic development, and cooperation among its Member States.
As the session concluded, the Authority reiterated its dedication to implementing these directives and enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the ECOWAS region’s citizens.
