Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), its Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, and mobile network operators (MNOs) are collaborating with officials from The Gambia to implement the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Free Roaming Initiative.
This initiative aims to reduce telecommunications costs for citizens traveling between the two countries, enhancing seamless communication and fostering stronger economic and social ties. According to the NCA, the negotiations are set to culminate in a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU will pave the way for technical and regulatory discussions among mobile operators, with the full implementation of the ECOWAS Roaming Regulations planned for the first half of 2025.
ECOWAS, a union of 15 West African nations, seeks to promote regional integration by forming a single economic and trading bloc. Ghana already benefits from bilateral roaming agreements with neighboring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, enabling citizens to access affordable roaming services without international charges.
The collaboration with The Gambia marks another step toward greater digital inclusion and connectivity within the region, highlighting ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to bridge gaps in communication infrastructure and accessibility.
