By KPC Reporter
Heads of Communications Regulatory Authorities from East African Community (EAC) Partner States have pledged to fast-track a harmonised regional mobile roaming framework aimed at making cross-border connectivity seamless and affordable.
Speaking at the high-level meeting, EAC Deputy Secretary General Andrea Aguer Arik Malueth underscored the importance of digital integration for regional growth.
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“Affordable and reliable mobile roaming is not just about convenience; it is about strengthening trade, integration, and the digital economy of East Africa,” he said.
The meeting, held under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), brought together regulators to address key issues including pricing structures, consumer protection, compliance monitoring, and dispute resolution.
Mr. John Wallace Daffa of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority emphasised the need for collaboration, noting, “We must ensure that our citizens can communicate across borders without facing prohibitive costs. This framework is about putting consumers first.”
Uganda Communications Commission’s Eng. Alfred Joseph Bogere added that technical cooperation would be central to success. “Interoperability, fraud prevention, and secure data exchange are critical to building trust and efficiency in regional roaming services,” he explained.
The regulators agreed to strengthen operational coordination and harmonisation of roaming services, with the goal of delivering affordable, seamless, and consumer-centred connectivity across the region.
The initiative is expected to enhance digital integration and spur economic growth by reducing barriers to communication and trade.
