KEY POINTS
- Ghana, Gambia advance ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative.
- Agreement aims to lower regional telecom costs.
- MoU finalization is expected by early 2025.
Ghana and Gambia are advancing efforts to boost regional connectivity and reduce telecommunications costs for travelers, reflecting growing momentum as more nations embrace similar initiatives.
The collaboration is part of the broader ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which aims to streamline communication across West Africa, fostering greater economic and social integration among member states.
Launched by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in October 2017, the initiative has faced delays due to challenges such as limited direct links between telecom operators, high call termination rates, and issues with fraud.
ECOWAS leads the charge on regional roaming
The first breakthrough came in June 2023, when Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire became the first to activate community roaming agreements, setting a precedent for other ECOWAS countries.
This shift is accelerating as neighboring nations work to follow suit, signaling a commitment to seamless communication and economic collaboration within the region.
The core goal of the initiative is to reduce the cost of telecom services for ECOWAS citizens traveling within the bloc, eliminating the need for multiple SIM cards and easing connectivity across borders.
Ghana-Gambia partnership to drive further progress
As part of this regional effort, Ghana is negotiating an MoU with Gambia that will establish the necessary technical and regulatory frameworks to make cross-border telecom services more affordable and accessible.
Ghana’s successful agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo have already resulted in lower roaming costs and improved connectivity, providing a proven model for the region.
The MoU, according to Business Insider Africa, is expected to be finalized soon and will set the stage for full implementation by the first half of 2025, aligning with Ghana’s broader regional connectivity goals.
With the framework already in place in neighboring countries, the Ghana-Gambia partnership is poised to be a critical step toward realizing the vision of an integrated, cost-effective telecommunications network across West Africa.
