Ghana and Togo have taken another step toward strengthening regional integration with the signing of a new Air Services Agreement designed to improve connectivity and attract more airlines between the two neighbouring countries. The announcement was made by Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, who disclosed the development on her X page on 22 November 2025. According to her, the agreement was concluded during the ICAO Air Services Negotiations held from 10 to 14 November in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and is expected to make travel easier across Africa and beyond.
The agreement aims to open the skies further between Accra and Lomé, two cities that sit less than an hour apart by road but remain underutilised aviation corridors. By expanding traffic rights and enabling more flexible operations for designated airlines, officials hope to encourage competition, reduce travel bottlenecks and strengthen business and tourism flows. Better air links between the two countries are also expected to support cross-border trade, which has long depended on land transport constrained by traffic congestion and border delays.
For Ghana, the agreement adds momentum to its strategy of positioning itself as a West African aviation hub. The Kotoka International Airport in Accra already serves as a major transit point for airlines operating across the sub-region. With the new bilateral accord, Ghana hopes to attract additional carriers interested in more seamless access to both Anglophone and Francophone markets in West Africa. The move also reflects Ghana’s broader ambition to modernise its aviation sector and support long-term economic growth through improved transport infrastructure.
Affo-Toffey described the agreement as a contribution to a more connected African aviation environment, arguing that improved air access is essential for achieving the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area. By easing the movement of people and goods, she noted, Ghana and Togo are helping lay the foundation for deeper economic cooperation. The two countries already collaborate closely in other sectors, including energy and border security, and this new agreement adds aviation to the list of strategic areas of partnership.
The new accord also aligns with Togo’s interest in boosting the status of Lomé as a logistics and transport hub. Lomé’s airport has grown steadily in recent years, driven by the expansion of Asky Airlines and increased cargo traffic linked to the Lomé Port. Enhanced bilateral rights with Ghana are expected to support more operational flexibility for airlines based in Togo, and in the long run help strengthen the region’s overall aviation capacity.
Ghana’s latest deal with Togo comes months after it concluded its first-ever air transport agreement with Canada in March 2025. That landmark agreement allowed designated airlines from both countries to operate up to 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights, with the freedom to choose routing and codeshare arrangements that maximise efficiency. The Canada agreement was hailed as a demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to expanding international air links, improving trade flows and attracting investment.
Seen together, the two agreements indicate a deliberate policy direction by Ghana to diversify its air service partnerships. By strengthening bilateral aviation frameworks with both neighbouring and distant countries, Ghana aims to boost flight options for travellers, reduce the cost of doing business and make the country more accessible to global markets. Improved aviation connectivity is widely recognised as a catalyst for economic development because it can stimulate tourism, increase cargo transport capacity and encourage multinational companies to deepen their presence.
The broader implication is that aviation cooperation is becoming a central pillar of Ghana’s foreign economic policy. With regional economies recovering from global shocks, governments are under pressure to develop infrastructure that supports mobility and competitiveness. Transport ministries across Africa are increasingly using bilateral air agreements to unlock market access, support national carriers and improve integration within the continent.
Ghana’s agreement with Togo is therefore more than a technical document. It is a signal of intent to deepen cooperation, strengthen West African mobility and integrate the region’s economies more fully. As both countries move to implement the terms, the success of this agreement could set a precedent for similar partnerships across the continent.
