• Gabon and Equatorial Guinea signed three telecom agreements covering spectrum coordination, free roaming, and fibre-optic interconnection.

• The deals aim to improve connectivity, reduce communication costs, and enhance regional digital integration.

• The countries will link through the Central African Backbone (CAB-4) fibre network to boost internet reliability and speed.

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have signed three agreements to deepen cooperation in telecommunications, aiming to boost cross-border connectivity and digital integration in Central Africa. The accords, announced by Gabon’s Ministry of Digital Economy on November 12, address shared challenges in broadband access, spectrum management, and roaming costs.

The deals come as Central Africa continues to lag in digital infrastructure, with limited fibre networks and uneven coverage. Bilateral partnerships have become essential to bridge these gaps and support regional economic growth.

The first agreement focuses on cross-border frequency coordination, a key technical step to prevent interference and ensure consistent service quality. In Central Africa, radio signals often spill over national boundaries, creating the risk of congestion and unfair competition among operators. Joint management of radio frequencies will help the two nations improve efficiency and reduce service disruptions in border regions.

The second agreement introduces free roaming between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Citizens will be able to make calls and use mobile data across both countries without paying additional fees. This measure is expected to facilitate communication, strengthen trade, and enhance social interaction among border communities.

Officials said the move aligns with broader efforts to harmonize telecom services in Africa, following similar initiatives adopted within the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

The third accord connects the two countries through the Central African Backbone 4 (CAB-4) fibre-optic network, a regional infrastructure project designed to improve internet speed and reliability. This link will allow operators in both nations to optimize data traffic, enhance network resilience, and provide more stable services to consumers.

The CAB-4 system, deployed across several Central African countries since 2007, has faced delays and uneven progress. The new agreement aims to accelerate implementation and strengthen digital sovereignty by reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure providers.

The coordinated efforts between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea mark a significant step toward a more integrated and digitally connected subregion. By lowering communication costs and improving service quality, both nations expect to see tangible benefits for border populations and local economies.

The initiative underscores a growing political will in Central Africa to develop homegrown digital networks and assert greater control over strategic infrastructure long dominated by international telecom operators.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum