The telecommunications regulatory bodies of Liberia and Ghana have begun discussions to establish free roaming between the two nations. This initiative, reported by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), aims to allow mobile phone users in both countries to be charged local rates during their visits. If an agreement is reached, carriers will need to develop commercial solutions to implement these agreements cost-effectively in line with ECOWAS regulations.
In 2020, the LTA mandated the country’s mobile network operators to comply with ECOWAS roaming regulations. However, progress has been slow due to delays in activation and a lack of momentum in starting bilateral negotiations.
ECOWAS introduced roaming regulations for public mobile communication networks in 2017 to standardize roaming activities within the community. However, several challenges have hindered implementation, including the absence of direct links between telecom operators, high call termination rates, and fraud.
Angela Cassell Bush, Acting International Gateway Systems Commissioner, emphasized that Liberia looks forward to further engagements with other ECOWAS member countries to establish zero-cost roaming agreements.
A significant number of subscribers making calls between Liberia and Ghana rely on Internet-based apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram, which require a smartphone and a data plan. Travelers between the two countries often need to buy a local SIM card to either purchase voice credits for calls or activate data for internet calls using their original phone number.
Many African nations are working towards free roaming in accordance with ECOWAS regulations. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, Executive Secretary of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), stated that 13 ECOWAS member states have amended their telecom laws to eliminate roaming surcharges.
In April 2024, Ghana and Benin agreed to implement free roaming to reduce communication costs for travelers between the two countries. In the same month, Niger and Togo announced plans to sign a partnership agreement for bilateral free roaming. Additionally, in October 2023, Benin and Togo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable free international mobile network roaming between the two nations.
This growing trend towards free roaming in West Africa demonstrates a significant effort to lower communication costs and improve connectivity for citizens across the region.
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