The East African Community (EAC) is stepping up efforts to establish a more unified regional mobile roaming system aimed at reducing cross-border communication costs, improving connectivity and supporting the free movement of people, goods and services across its eight Partner States.
Through the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), the EAC has brought together Communications Officers from the eight Partner States to strengthen public awareness and promote coordinated communication on the Enhanced Regional Mobile Roaming Framework.
The initiative seeks to build on the achievements of the One Network Area (ONA) by moving towards a more integrated regional roaming environment in which mobile subscribers can communicate seamlessly across national borders without facing the high charges and connectivity barriers traditionally associated with international roaming.
A single, harmonised mobile roaming network across East Africa would make it easier for citizens to retain affordable access to voice calls, SMS and mobile data as they move between Partner States. It would also support businesses, traders, transport operators and regional investors who depend on reliable communication across borders.
The proposed framework expands the scope of the existing One Network Area initiative by incorporating voice, SMS and mobile data services, while strengthening consumer protection and transparency. It provides for clearer information on roaming charges, fair-use policies and usage limits, alongside mechanisms to protect subscribers from unexpected bills.
For businesses operating across the region, a more unified roaming system could reduce communication costs, improve coordination between suppliers and customers, and support the growth of cross-border trade and digital commerce.
The framework is particularly important as the EAC advances its regional integration agenda, with increased movement of people and goods creating demand for affordable and reliable telecommunications services. Seamless mobile connectivity is increasingly becoming essential infrastructure for regional trade, tourism, logistics, financial services and other economic activities.
The Nairobi workshop equipped Communications Officers from ministries responsible for ICT and EAC Affairs, as well as national communications regulatory authorities, with the knowledge and common messages needed to communicate the framework to citizens, businesses and other stakeholders.
Participants also developed harmonised regional messages and communication strategies to address information gaps, improve public understanding and counter misinformation surrounding the proposed roaming arrangements.
The Enhanced Regional Mobile Roaming Framework has been approved by the EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology and is awaiting adoption by the EAC Council of Ministers, in line with the Community’s approval procedures.
Once adopted and implemented, the framework is expected to strengthen cooperation among national telecommunications regulators and mobile network operators, creating a more consistent regional roaming environment.
However, achieving a genuinely single regional roaming network will require coordinated implementation by Partner States, harmonised regulatory arrangements and cooperation among telecommunications operators to ensure that subscribers enjoy consistent services regardless of the country they are visiting.
Through EARDIP, the EAC is pursuing a broader digital integration agenda that seeks to reduce technological and regulatory barriers between Partner States, facilitate cross-border digital services and unlock new economic opportunities.
The ambition is to make national borders less of a barrier to digital communication, allowing East Africans to remain connected through an affordable and seamless regional mobile network.
