The National Communications Authority (NCA), in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), is actively engaging stakeholders in The Gambia to progress the ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative.
This initiative seeks to lower telecommunication costs for individuals traveling between Ghana and The Gambia, enabling smoother communication and enhancing economic and social connections.
The discussions, which began on November 19, 2024, are set to conclude on November 21, 2024, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement will initiate technical and regulatory discussions among MNOs, paving the way for the adoption and launch of the ECOWAS Roaming Regulations in the first half of 2025.
These efforts highlight the NCA’s dedication to consumer protection and advancing regional integration within the telecommunications industry.
Over the years, the NCA has implemented various consumer-focused initiatives, including the Billing Feedback Message, Significant Market Power (SMP) Regulations, SIM Registration, and Mobile Number Portability (MNP).
Additional measures such as UMTS 900 frequency allocation, Billing Verification Systems, NCA CERT, and technology neutrality further demonstrate the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests as outlined in the NCA Act.
In his opening address, Prof. Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, Deputy Director General (Technical Operations) of the NCA and head of Ghana’s delegation, described the meeting as a crucial step toward fostering regional integration. He highlighted Ghana’s leadership in regional connectivity, referencing existing bilateral roaming agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin.
‘This collaboration with The Gambia marks the next phase in extending affordable telecom services across the region’, he said.
Prof. Yeboah-Boateng emphasized that the partnership goes beyond cost savings, representing a unified commitment to building a West Africa where communication is accessible, effortless, and a driver of economic development, tourism, and regional harmony.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Solo Sima, Deputy Director General of The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), expressed confidence in the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative’s potential to enhance Africa’s connectivity, create jobs, and boost business opportunities. He also urged regulators to account for the evolving impact of technologies like 5G, ensuring that agreements remain flexible and prioritize the needs of consumers.
Ghana’s ECOWAS Free Roaming Agreements with other countries
Travelers from Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo benefit from reduced call charges, as they pay local rates for SMS and voice calls, avoiding excessive roaming fees.
Additionally, incoming calls, both local and international, are received at no cost due to the abolition of roaming charges for call reception.
Internet usage is also made affordable, with Ghanaians accessing data services at the same rates as residents in Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo.