The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region. The bloc has also announced a 25% reduction in passenger and security-related aviation charges from next year. Channel Africa’s economics reporter now examines the significance of this decision and what it could mean for airfares and regional connectivity.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region. The bloc has also announced a 25% reduction in passenger and security-related aviation charges from next year. Channel Africa&rsquo;s economics reporter now examines the significance of this decision and what it could mean for airfares and regional connectivity.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.

Business Africa

Africa in Business

ECOWAS to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026 in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region

With the December holidays upon us and braai season in full swing, South African consumers are feeling the strain of sharply higher meat prices at the tills. Meat inflation has climbed to its highest level in almost eight years, driven largely by disruptions caused by foot-and-mouth disease and tighter supplies. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB, about what’s behind these increases, what government’s new disease-control plan means for the sector, and when consumers might finally see some relief.

With the December holidays upon us and braai season in full swing, South African consumers are feeling the strain of sharply higher meat prices at the tills. Meat inflation has climbed to its highest level in almost eight years, driven largely by disruptions caused by foot-and-mouth disease and tighter supplies. Thami Ngubeni spoke to Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB, about what&rsquo;s behind these increases, what government&rsquo;s new disease-control plan means for the sector, and when consumers might finally see some relief.

South African consumers feel the strain of sharply higher meat prices as meat inflation climbs to the highest level in almost eight years

For our final business round-up of the year, Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back, and Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo, unpacks some of the developments that caught his eye this year.

For our final business round-up of the year, Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open for Business and Africa Bounces Back, and Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo, unpacks some of the developments that caught his eye this year.

Business round-up with Victor Kgomoeswana, author and Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

Tourism is on an upward trajectory in South Africa, according to South African Tourism. The organisation revealed that between January and October 2025, the country welcomed about 8.5 million visitors, an increase of more than a million compared to the same period last year. The organisation says that what is even more encouraging is that more than 70% of the visitors came from the rest of the African continent. Sisi Segalo has more on the story.

Tourism is on an upward trajectory in South Africa, according to South African Tourism. The organisation revealed that between January and October 2025, the country welcomed about 8.5 million visitors, an increase of more than a million compared to the same period last year. The organisation says that what is even more encouraging is that more than 70% of the visitors came from the rest of the African continent. Sisi Segalo has more on the story.

ECOWAS to abolish air transport taxes from January 1, 2026 in a move aimed at lowering the cost of air travel across the region

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