The Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), has disclosed that the $1 passenger safety levy on flight ticket for member countries will take off January 2026.

The Executive Director, BAGASOO Soraya Rodrigues Silva, who disclosed this at the BAGASOO Safety Conference and the 15 years anniversary of the organisation,.stated that the decision was ratified by Council of Ministers of BAG countries including Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone

The $1 safety levy, expected to span for a period of five years, will enhance aviation safety and security oversight across member states and also support the organisation’s effort to strengthen aviation governance architecture.

The BAGASOO ED further disclosed that the region has witnessed increase in the implementation of safety recommendations from 40 per cent to 63 per cent since the organisation was established in 2009.

She attributed the fear to the increased capacity building of technical personnel in the region, improvement of safety oversight system of member state.

She hinted that partnerships with international organisations, such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have also contributed to BAGASOO’s success.

The Senior International Cooperation Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) , Mr. Yves Koniig, highlighted the agency’s support for BAGASOO through training, regulatory guidance, and participation in regional initiatives.

Also, Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Agency (CASOA) of the East African Community, Engr. Richard Gatete, said the conference also discussed the development of a unified regulatory framework for the African continent and, emphasized the importance of regional integration and learning.

The Executive Secretary of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Adefunke Adeyinka commended BAGASOO for promoting safety oversight and regulatory excellence in the West African region, adding that the organisation has emerged as a key cornerstone of regional cooperation and capacity development across Africa reinforcing the collective idea in civil aviation.

She stressed that pursuing harmonized regulatory regime is essential to eliminating fragmentation, ensuring consistency in oversight and facilitating regional integration of certification.

She said such alignment is beneficial for safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness and the acceleration of regional air connectivity under the Single Air Connectivity Transport Market (SAATM).

She urged BAGASOO to always harness the strength of regional safety organisation like the AFCAC, ICAO and other development partners to build a resilient aviation system across African continent.