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Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia move closer to implementing free-roaming agreement for seamless regional connectivity.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), in partnership with its regional counterparts, has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a landmark free-roaming agreement. This will eliminate cross-border telecom charges and enhance regional connectivity across West Africa.
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Acting Chairperson of LTA, Abdullah L. Kamara, made this announcement during a high-level meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He emphasized the importance of regulatory cooperation among ECOWAS member states to ensure that mobile service providers comply with the agreement.
The meeting brought together telecom regulators from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.  They include the National Communications Authority (NatCA) of Sierra Leone and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) of The Gambia. The discussions laid the groundwork for the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—a key step toward integrating telecommunications services across the region.
Seamless Cross-Border Communication Under ECOWAS Regulations
The free-roaming agreement will allow unrestricted mobile communication between Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, aligning with ECOWAS regulations on public telecommunication networks. This initiative will remove the need for multiple SIM cards, eliminate high roaming fees, and ensure that citizens and businesses can communicate seamlessly across borders.
Kamara described the initiative as a “transformative vision” that will not only enhance trade and tourism but also support the free movement of people across the three West African nations.
“Our meeting marks a significant milestone in achieving the goals of ECOWAS regulations on roaming public telecommunication networks within the region,” said Kamara. “This initiative will allow our citizens to communicate freely while traveling, without the burden of excessive roaming charges. Free roaming is a catalyst for economic growth, regional cooperation, and improved mobility for our people.”
Economic and Social Benefits of Free Roaming
The free-roaming agreement is expected to have a major economic impact, reducing communication costs for businesses, facilitating cross-border trade, and promoting greater financial inclusion. By lowering the cost of mobile connectivity, the initiative will also boost tourism and encourage regional collaboration.
Kamara stressed that by removing barriers to communication, the agreement will create economic opportunities, strengthen diplomatic ties, and improve telecom infrastructure across West Africa.
With preparations now in their final stages, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, alongside its regional partners, is poised to make seamless cross-border communication a reality, setting a precedent for greater digital integration across ECOWAS nations.
