ECOWAS National Regulatory Authorities Experts Meet, Intensifies Roaming, Digital Access Revolution in West Africa.
By Raymond Enoch.
In a determined effort to dismantle digital barriers and deepen regional integration, ECOWAS launched its 18th Meeting of Roaming Experts on August 20, 2025, in Lomé, the capital of Togo. The two-day event has brought together key telecommunications regulators, mobile network operators, and policymakers to evaluate progress—and challenges—in implementing seamless mobile connectivity across West Africa.
Held in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation, the meeting focuses on assessing the impact and execution of ECOWAS Regulation C/REG.21/12/17, a milestone policy adopted in 2017 aimed at reducing high roaming charges and enabling affordable cross-border mobile communication for millions of West Africans.
Described as a pivotal moment for the region’s digital transformation, the summit gathers focal points from National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) of ECOWAS Member States, along with representatives from the West African Telecommunications Regulators’ Assembly (WATRA), UEMOA, the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Digital Economy and Postal Services, and regional mobile network operators.
“This is not just about telecom. It’s about economic freedom, social cohesion, and technological sovereignty,” said an insider close to the discussions. Dubbed by observers as a “roaming renaissance,” the gathering represents a significant checkpoint in the region’s digital journey since the regulation was first introduced.
Participants are examining both the gains and remaining hurdles in harmonizing mobile tariffs and technical infrastructure—a longstanding issue affecting business travelers, cross-border traders, and everyday users who frequently move between ECOWAS countries.
Experts emphasize that full implementation of the regulation could unlock billions in intra-African trade, foster real-time collaboration across borders, and expand digital access to rural and underserved populations.
The decisions and recommendations emerging from the Lomé meeting are expected to shape the future of ECOWAS digital policy, influencing investment strategies, consumer protections, and the broader vision for a unified West African digital market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As the region moves closer to bridging its digital divides, the message from Lomé is clear: West Africa is dialing in—and the connection is only getting stronger.
