• Guinea, Sierra Leone sign MoU to end roaming charges on calls and data
• Agreement supports border connectivity, follows 2024 internet backbone deal
• Part of West Africa’s push to cut telecom costs and boost regional integration
  

Guinea and Sierra Leone signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on free mobile roaming on Monday, November 10, in Conakry. Signed during the Transform Africa 2025 Summit, held alongside the 15th session of the African Regulators’ Council (CAR-15), and supported by the Smart Africa Alliance, the agreement marks a major step toward cost-free, cross-border connectivity for subscribers.

It calls for ending roaming charges on both calls and mobile data. It also provides for technical coordination between operators to align call termination rates and improve service quality along the borders.

This is the second telecommunications agreement signed by the two countries within a year. In November 2024, Guinea and Sierra Leone signed a framework agreement to interconnect their national internet backbone networks, aiming to enhance connectivity and support bilateral digital exchanges.

Regional Integration Push

The new deal is part of a broader regional drive to expand roaming initiatives. In recent months, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Liberia have also signed similar deals, reflecting a common goal among West African states to lower communication barriers and deepen regional economic integration.

The agreement’s implementation is expected to reduce communication costs for subscribers, facilitate cross-border digital transactions, and support regional trade. However, its full implementation will depend on detailed technical agreements between operators, especially regarding termination costs, interconnection management, and compliance with service quality standards.

Samira Njoya