Lomé, Togo, is hosting a two-day hybrid meeting starting August 20, 2025, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The event brings together representatives from National Regulatory Authorities of ECOWAS Member States, the Secretariat of the West African Telecommunications Regulators’ Assembly (WATRA), the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Digital Economy and Post, UEMOA, and the ECOWAS National Office in Togo. The focus is on monitoring and evaluating Regulation C/REG.21/12/17 concerning roaming across public mobile communications networks.
At the opening ceremony, Ms Folake Olagunju, Acting Director Digital Economy and Post, spoke on behalf of Mr Sediko DOUKA, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation. She welcomed participants and acknowledged progress made since the regulation’s adoption through bilateral tariff agreements between Member States. “This meeting is more than a checkpoint; it is a catalyst. It offers a valuable platform for Member States to exchange experiences, share lessons learned, and offer practical insights, especially for those still navigating the implementation process… The ECOWAS Commission remains fully committed to supporting Member States in this endeavour… ” said Ms Folake Olagunju.
Mr Musa Jalloh, Deputy Director of Regulation at Sierra Leone’s National Telecommunications Authority, addressed participants about digital integration and creating a unified regional market. He noted that increasing bilateral agreements among Member States demonstrate authorities’ commitment to reducing telecommunications costs and improving interoperability for citizens across the region. “He praised the growing number of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding between Member States, reflecting the commitment of authorities to significantly reducing telecommunications costs and improving interoperability for the benefit of citizens across the ECOWAS region.”
The official launch was conducted by Mr Michel Yaovi Galley, Director General of Togo’s Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), represented by Mr Cabo Amar Vinyo. Mr Vinyo urged full implementation of the regulation in all Member States to enhance consumer satisfaction, improve connectivity, expand internet access availability, and promote regional integration.
During this meeting—the 18th gathering focused on roaming—focal points will present updates on service implementation status. They will assess compliance with community price caps based on national monitoring data and review progress on assignments from previous ministerial meetings regarding telecommunications policy. Delays in establishing bilateral agreements as well as operator concerns related to fraud are also scheduled topics.
Experts plan to evaluate regulatory proposals under consideration by ECOWAS institutions. The agenda includes reviewing efforts by WATRA in working with European regulators like BEREC to secure technical assistance for community roaming services.
Regulation C/REG.21/12/17 was adopted in December 2017 by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers with goals including harmonizing legal frameworks around roaming within member states while lowering high costs associated with voice calls, SMS messaging and data use when traveling within West Africa.