Niger and Togo are poised to forge a partnership agreement for bilateral free-roaming, enabling seamless electronic communications services for travelers between the two nations.
This initiative mirrors similar agreements signed by neighboring countries like Mali and Benin, further enhancing connectivity and accessibility within the region.
In October 2023, Benin and Togo inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate free international mobile network roaming, in compliance with ECOWAS regulations, slated to commence in January 2024.
Benin has also committed to establishing free roaming with Ghana from July 1, 2024, aimed at reducing communication expenses for travelers between the two nations.
November 2023 saw Ghana’s National Communications Authority and Togo’s electronic communications authority agreeing to bilateral roaming services under ECOWAS regulations, set for implementation in March 2024.
Togo and Mali joined forces in December 2023, sealing a free-roaming partnership allowing cell phone users in both countries to enjoy complimentary calls during the first 30 days of their stay.
In response to these developments, the NCC (Niger) plans to implement a National Mobile Roaming strategy, aligning with regional efforts to promote seamless communication across borders.
Togo has also established similar partnerships with Côte d’Ivoire, with expectations of more countries joining the initiative in the future, bolstering connectivity throughout the region.
Delegates from Niger recently visited Togo to glean insights into the latter’s telecom regulation techniques, particularly focusing on data-driven regulation methods and digital platform deployment.
These collaborative efforts stem from the amendments made by 13 ECOWAS member states to their telecom legislation, eliminating roaming surcharges, as confirmed by the Executive Secretary of WATRA in May 2023.
The elimination of roaming surcharges is anticipated to bolster cross-border trade and economic activities while addressing connectivity and data access challenges within the region, facilitating seamless business operations for traders and stakeholders alike.
The announcement by the West African Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (WATRA) in 2016 marked a significant milestone, heralding the end of high roaming costs for telephone users across West African countries, fostering greater connectivity and accessibility.