The Balafon Awards, held as part of the 8th Accra Weizo Conference in Accra, Ghana, celebrated the Best Airlines in West Africa, recognizing carriers that have made remarkable contributions to regional connectivity, seamless travel, and economic integration through aviation.
These award-winning airlines were honoured not only for their exceptional service but also for their extensive route networks and strategic roles in supporting intra-African travel.
See List of winners:
ASKY Airlines
Headquarters: Lomé, Togo
Commenced operations: 2010
ASKY Airlines was named West African Airline of the Year and one of the Best Airlines in West Africa. The pan-African carrier operates an impressive network to 13 destinations within the region: Abidjan, Abuja, Accra, Bamako, Banjul, Bissau, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Freetown, Lomé, Monrovia, and Ouagadougou. ASKY has established itself as a reliable and dominant player in West African aviation, with a strong commitment to facilitating regional movement.
Air Peace
Headquarters: Lagos, Nigeria
Commenced operations: 2014
Air Peace was recognized for its growing influence and dedication to regional connectivity. The airline flies to 8 West African cities: Abidjan, Accra, Banjul, Cotonou, Dakar, Freetown, Lomé, and Monrovia. Its efforts in making regional travel more accessible have positioned it as a key airline in the sub-region.
Air Côte d’Ivoire
Headquarters: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Commenced operations: 2012
Air Côte d’Ivoire operates flights to 13 destinations in West Africa, connecting major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Lomé, Abidjan, Accra, Cotonou, Niamey, Monrovia, Conakry, Ouagadougou, Bamako, Bissau, and Dakar. The airline plays a pivotal role in linking Francophone and Anglophone regions, supporting both business and leisure travel.
Air Senegal
Headquarters: Dakar, Senegal
Commenced operations: 2018
Air Senegal was celebrated for its extensive regional footprint, flying to 17 destinations in West Africa: Benin (Cotonou), Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou), Cameroon (Douala), Cape Verde (Praia, Sal), Gabon (Libreville), Gambia (Banjul), Guinea (Conakry), Guinea-Bissau (Bissau), Ivory Coast (Abidjan), Mali (Bamako), Mauritania (Nouakchott), Morocco (Casablanca), Senegal (Cap Skirring, Dakar, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor), and Sierra Leone (Freetown).
Africa World Airlines (AWA)
Headquarters: Accra, Ghana
Commenced operations: September 2012
AWA was recognised for its commitment to linking West African capitals with dependable regional services. It operates flights to 6 destinations, including Lagos, Abuja (Nigeria), Freetown (Sierra Leone), and Monrovia (Liberia). AWA continues to provide crucial connectivity in the region’s underserved airspace.
Ibom Air
Headquarters: Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Commenced operations: June 2019
Ibom Air, one of West Africa’s emerging airlines, was honoured for its excellence in service and efforts to expand beyond domestic boundaries. It currently flies to 7 destinations: Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and its first international route Accra, Ghana. Ibom Air is fast becoming a key player in bridging West African cities.
Despite the region’s vast population of over 400 million and abundant tourism potential, intra-regional air connectivity remains a challenge. The efforts of these carriers help reduce travel barriers, support tourism growth, and promote economic cooperation across borders.
The Accra Weizo Conference continues to serve as a vital platform for addressing regional travel challenges, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and celebrating success stories such as these. The recognition of these airlines reflects the growing need for a stronger, more interconnected West African aviation landscape.
