Ghana and Gambia have reached a historic telecommunications agreement to implement the ECOWAS free roaming initiative. This partnership, established by the Ghanaian Ministry of Communications and Digitization, mobile network operators, and the National Communications Authority, aims to revolutionize cross-border communications between the two countries.
Developing affordable telecommunications in West Africa
The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, paves the way for technical and regulatory discussions. These preparations will lead to the launch of ECOWAS roaming regulations in the first half of 2025.
Professor Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, Deputy Director-General of Technical Operations in Ghana, emphasizes that this collaboration is crucial for regional integration. Ghana has already signed similar agreements with Benin, Togo, and Ivory Coast, demonstrating its commitment to developing affordable telecommunications in West Africa. Solo Sima, Deputy Director-General of the Public Services Regulatory Authority of Gambia, highlighted the potential of the initiative to generate jobs and economic opportunities. He stressed the importance of maintaining flexible, customer-focused regulation while adapting to emerging technologies such as 5G.
Commitment to consumer protection
Under this agreement, citizens traveling between the participating countries will benefit from significant advantages. These include local rates for voice calls and SMS services, eliminating expensive roaming fees. Additionally, travelers will receive incoming calls for free and have access to local internet rates.
The involvement of the National Communications Authority reflects its ongoing commitment to consumer protection and regional integration. The organization has already implemented various consumer-friendly measures, including significant market power regulations, SIM card registration, and mobile number portability.
Elimination of roaming fees in telecommunications
Financed by ECOWAS, this initiative is part of a regional effort to promote exchanges and consolidate economic integration. The agreement is set to take effect in the first half of 2025.
Ghana has already shown a strong commitment to promoting fee-free roaming. The country has concluded similar agreements with Ivory Coast, Benin, and Togo. Recently, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger also announced that roaming fees within the ECOWAS region will be eliminated starting in January 2025. The gradual introduction of fee-free roaming in the area is good news for tourists and residents alike.
This new measure will reduce communication costs, facilitate exchanges, and strengthen ties between ECOWAS member countries.
Strengthening regional cooperation for all citizens
Technological innovations are also central to the NCA’s mission. Implementations such as UMTS 900 frequency, billing verification systems, and technological neutrality support the fundamental rights guaranteed by NCA law.
This collaboration represents much more than cost reduction: it symbolizes a commitment to creating a unified West Africa where communication promotes tourism, economic growth, and regional unity. Extending these benefits to travelers between Ghana and Gambia will reinforce regional cooperation and improve accessibility for all citizens.
This initiative builds on the already successful partnerships within the ECOWAS region, where citizens already benefit from affordable telecommunications services beyond borders. This expansion marks an important step toward comprehensive regional digital integration and economic development in West Africa.
