Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire launch bilateral roaming services; paving way for enhanced regional connectivity

Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire launch bilateral roaming services; paving way for enhanced regional connectivity

The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, in collaboration with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Cote d’Ivoire (ARTCI), has achieved a significant breakthrough in regional telecommunications integration. The two nations recently unveiled bilateral roaming services, marking a crucial step toward fostering cross-border communication and bolstering regional connectivity.

Under the auspices of Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and the Ivorian Ministry for Communication and Digital Economy, the launch of these services on June 14, 2023, reflects a key recommendation made during the 18th Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministers in Charge of Telecommunications, ICT, Digitalisation, and Post. As the first countries to activate roaming services (Voice, SMS, and Data) under the ECOWAS Roaming Regulations, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have set a precedent for other nations in the region to follow.

This landmark achievement, made possible through collaboration with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in both countries, aims to reduce roaming rates and charges within the two nations. By eliminating international roaming charges for subscribers traveling between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, this initiative brings substantial cost savings and enhanced convenience to mobile users.

Ghana’s Head of International Relations at the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Kwame Baah Acheamfuor, commended the launch of the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative between the two countries as a significant stride in regional cooperation and connectivity. He emphasized that this development aligns with the vision of a borderless Africa and called for robust cybersecurity measures to protect telecommunications networks.

Furthermore, Acheamfuor urged Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to engage in discussions with their neighboring countries, including Togo, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea, and Mali, to expand this transformative program. Leveraging the data gathered from the successful bilateral implementation, these nations can facilitate the adoption of similar roaming initiatives, thus promoting regional integration and economic growth.

Jean-Martial Adou, Chief of Staff to the Ivorian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, highlighted the imperative to reduce communication costs between neighboring countries and foster South-South cooperation. Adou praised the collaborative initiative between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, expressing his country’s wholehearted support. He applauded Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation for her leadership and commitment to the development of telecommunications in the region.

Prof. Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, Deputy Director General for Technical Operations at Ghana’s National Communications Authority, emphasized that the bilateral roaming initiative encourages collaboration, trade, and tourism between the two nations. He emphasized the significance of this initiative as a model for other ECOWAS member states, demonstrating the potential for cooperation to create a more interconnected and prosperous region.

To solidify their commitment to ongoing collaboration, the NCA and ARTCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the launch event. This agreement underscores the continued interaction between the two countries and paves the way for future joint efforts in advancing regional connectivity.

The launch event witnessed the participation of representatives from Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the NCA, ARTCI, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy of Cote d’Ivoire, as well as major mobile network operators including Vodafone Ghana and MTN Ghana. The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) also lent its support to this significant milestone.

With the successful implementation of this phased approach, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire aim to inspire other ECOWAS member states to embrace the ECOWAS Roaming Initiative. This collective effort holds the promise of fostering regional connectivity, trade, and tourism in West Africa. The NCA expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation for its support and direction, and extended its willingness to collaborate with other member states in the future, with the aim of benefiting the Ghanaian populace and the wider ECOWAS community.