Niger and Togo are on the verge of solidifying their partnership with an agreement designed to implement bilateral free-roaming services. The anticipated agreement is set to make electronic communication services more accessible for travelers moving between the two nations.
This development aligns with a regional trend, as Togo has previously secured free-roaming arrangements with other nations, such as Mali and Benin. Niger is poised to be the latest country added to this expanding network.
In the recent past, specifically in October 2023, Benin and Togo put pen to paper on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) affirming their commitment to permit free roaming of international mobile networks following the regulations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This pact is expected to be operational in January 2024.
Moreover, Benin has pursued further connectivity, reaching an agreement with Ghana to launch free-roaming services with the goal of driving down the costs of communication for individuals traversing these nations. This initiative is slated to commence on July 1, 2024.
In a similar stride, November 2023 saw Ghana’s National Communications Authority and the Togolese electronic communications regulator come to terms on a bilateral arrangement under ECOWAS “free” roaming guidelines. This agreement is projected to come into effect in March 2024.
Adding to Togo’s list of collaborative agreements, December 2023 marked the signing of a free-roaming deal with Mali by the telecom authorities of both countries. With this agreement, mobile phone users on visits to either nation are set to enjoy zero-charge calls during the first 30 days of their stay, epitomizing the commitment to foster connectivity in the region.
Togo is continuing to expand its network of free-roaming partnerships, having recently forged one with Côte d’Ivoire, indicating a trend that suggests more countries will likely join this collaborative effort.
In the case of Niger, the recent partnership has provided an opportunity for its delegates to gain insights into Togo’s advanced telecom regulatory practices. They have observed Togo’s reliance on data-driven regulation, which has been effectively implemented via the integration of digital platforms and thorough certification processes.
These bilateral agreements are part of a broader regional initiative, encouraged by the positive affirmation from Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, the Executive Secretary of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA). He confirmed that, as of May 2023, 13 member states of ECOWAS had revised their telecommunications laws to abolish roaming fees, signaling a significant shift towards enhanced regional connectivity.
Aboki highlighted the substantial benefits of such policy changes, emphasizing the importance of seamless connectivity for cross-border trade and economic interactions. Removing roaming surcharges is seen as a crucial step in addressing connectivity and data access issues that previously impeded business operations.
He elaborated on the practical advantages of the change: “When traders arrive in any country in West Africa, they can continue using their phones to do business—check prices, communicate with staff, suppliers, partners, etc.—without worrying about higher costs.” This initiative is expected to lead to increased efficiency and economic benefits for businesses and consumers across West Africa, furthering the ECOWAS objective of regional integration and economic development.
In 2016, the West African Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (WATRA) declared that telephone users across West African nations would be relieved from the burden of high roaming fees.
