The East African Community (EAC) has commenced a series of engagements this week aimed at advancing the development of a harmonised regional mobile roaming framework to support affordable cross-border communication.
More affordable mobile access, it is argued, will enhance regional trade and accelerate the implementation of the EAC’s Single digital Market agenda.
The engagements, taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 25 to 29 May, bring together regional telecommunications experts, policymakers, heads of communications regulatory authorities, and regional partner institutions under the meeting of the technical committee on telecommunications.
The high roaming charges of cross-border voice calls, SMS, and mobile data services affect businesses and individuals that rely on mobile communication services while travelling within the region. This remains a barrier to trade efficiency, business continuity, and socio-economic interaction among East Africans, noted member states.
George Lwevoola, chairperson of the meeting and principal regional integration officer for science and technology at the Ministry of EAC Affairs for Uganda, recognised that regional discussions on mobile roaming within the EAC formally commenced in 2013.
“Efforts aimed at making communications affordable within the region have been ongoing for more than a decade,” he said.
“While significant progress has been made, partner states have also jointly implemented various initiatives, including the One Network Area, which have provided valuable lessons and experiences that continue to inform the development of a sustainable and harmonised regional roaming framework for the community.”
However, a study undertaken by the EAC secretariat, with support from the World Bank, noted that the current framework remains largely voice-centric and does not adequately address the growing demand for affordable data services required to support e-commerce, digital payments, online services, and broader digital integration across the region.
“Cross-border traders, transport operators, tourists, and businesses depend heavily on reliable mobile communication services,” said Andrea Ariik Malueth, EAC deputy secretary-general in charge of infrastructure, productive, social, and political sectors
“By advancing a harmonised regional roaming framework, the EAC is addressing one of the practical barriers that continues to affect movement, trade, and socio-economic interaction within the Community,” he said.
The outcomes of the meetings are set to inform subsequent policy processes within the community, including the submission of the draft framework to the Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications, and Meteorology for consideration and adoption.
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