• Senegal, Togo and Benin have launched free roaming between their mobile networks.

• Users can now receive calls at no extra cost while traveling across the three countries.

• The initiative aims to cut telecom costs and accelerate regional digital integration.

Senegal, Togo and Benin have recently activated free roaming across their mobile networks. National regulators have driven this initiative to reduce communication costs for subscribers traveling within the three countries.

In practical terms, users can now receive incoming calls at no additional charge when they move between these territories. Meanwhile, operators bill outgoing calls and SMS at rates close to local tariffs in the visited country, and they offer mobile data services under more favorable pricing conditions than before.

This activation follows an announcement made in December by Senegal’s telecom regulator to implement free roaming with four countries in the sub-region—Benin, Gambia, Mali and Togo—starting March 1, 2026. However, the rollout has faced delays, and authorities have finalized agreements only with Benin and Togo so far.

Moreover, this framework aligns with broader efforts within the Economic Community of West African States to harmonize telecom policies and facilitate the free movement of people and services. Historically, high international roaming charges across the continent have constrained economic exchanges and regional mobility.

With the activation of free roaming, Senegal, Togo and Benin are laying the groundwork for a more seamless regional market in line with West Africa’s economic integration ambitions. At the same time, other similar agreements have been concluded or are under negotiation across the continent, notably between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Benin, as well as Chad and Cameroon.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum