Kenya's biggest mobile network Safaricom is lowering call costs and roaming rates between Kenya and Rwanda as of 1 October 2014.

Safaricom says its customers visiting Rwanda can make calls to Rwanda's networks at Kshs. 10, "which is a 43% drop from the initial rate of Kshs. 17.50 per min".

Meanwhile, the telecoms giant further notes that "customers making international calls from Kenya to Rwanda, and vice versa, will be billed at a rate of Kshs. 10 per minute".

Safaricom says the move comes after East African Community (EAC) ICT ministers helped to scrap Rwandan taxes and levies for receiving calls while roaming in Rwanda.

"These are the early wins of the joint lobbying initiative between operators in both countries and their respective governments over the last one year," said Safaricom chief executive officer Bob Collymore in a statement.

"We believe that by having affordable regional calling rates, we will be playing a crucial role in boosting regional commerce and social integration within the EAC," Collymore added.