• Sahel states sign cross-border radio frequency deal to reduce signal interference
  

• Agreement boosts digital cooperation, includes plans for joint regulation and tech rollout
  

• Follows prior pacts on roaming, cybersecurity, and data protection within AES bloc

Member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) signed an agreement on November 21 to coordinate the use of radio frequencies along their shared borders. The agreement sets up mechanisms to prevent interference and signal jamming within a 15-kilometer zone on each side of the borders. It represents a new step in the expanding digital cooperation between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

The radio spectrum is “a vital resource for mobile communications, broadcasting, security services and the growth of emerging technologies,” the Malian Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy and Administrative Modernization said in a statement. The ministry added that managing the spectrum requires strict coordination to avoid interference, improve service quality, and support ongoing digital transformation efforts.

The agreement calls for harmonizing frequency parameters and coordination procedures. It also includes creating information-sharing systems among national regulators, holding regular meetings to resolve cross-border interference issues and updating the regulatory framework to support the rollout of new technologies and the evolution of the digital market.

Strengthening Cooperation

The signing took place on the sidelines of Burkina Faso’s Digital Week, attended by official delegations from Niger and Mali. On November 18, the three countries’ data-protection authorities adopted a joint roadmap to reinforce their digital sovereignty. This roadmap builds on the creation, in April 2025, of the AES Data Protection Authorities Consultation Framework (CC-APDP-AES).

These agreements come roughly three weeks after the three governments committed to a common position against rising cyber threats. According to the authorities, these threats include sophisticated cyberattacks, disinformation, electronic fraud and the infiltration of critical systems.

During Digital Week in November 2024, the three countries had already signed an agreement to eliminate roaming fees. They also announced preparations for a shared roadmap covering digital and telecom projects due to begin in 2025. This roadmap focuses on regulation, cybersecurity, network interconnection, ICT training, and infrastructure improvement. The countries also plan to acquire satellites to strengthen telecom services.

These cooperation initiatives unfold within a broader continental context in which digital technology is seen as a driver of socioeconomic development. A joint study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google estimates that Africa’s digital economy could reach at least $712 billion by 2050, equivalent to 8.5% of the continent’s GDP.

However, the signing of these agreements also raises questions about actual implementation. For example, free roaming within the AES was expected to come into effect on January 1, 2025, but no official announcement has confirmed whether it has been applied.

Isaac K. Kassouwi