In a major step toward regional digital cooperation, Cameroon and Chad have announced that they will officially launch free mobile roaming services between the two countries starting August 11, 2025. The agreement, finalized in early July during a bilateral coordination meeting in N’Djamena, aims to eliminate extra charges for cross-border calls, texts, and mobile data usage.

This move will allow mobile subscribers in both countries to use their existing SIM cards while traveling across the border without incurring additional costs — a long-anticipated benefit for millions of users in Central Africa.

A Long Road to Free Roaming

The decision builds upon an initiative that began in 2021 under the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), which set out to abolish roaming fees among member states. However, despite the early ambition, implementation has been slow. Of the 213 bilateral roaming agreements needed among the six CEMAC countries, only two have been completed so far.

Cameroon and Chad now stand out as leaders in this process. Their renewed push to achieve the goal came after a March 2024 meeting of regional telecom ministers, where a three-month deadline was set for launching free roaming agreements among all member states. While that broader target has not yet been met, the Cameroon-Chad partnership is viewed as a critical breakthrough.

Technical and Regulatory Hurdles Remain

Although the August 11 launch date has been agreed upon, both countries still face several technical and administrative hurdles. According to statements from Cameroon’s Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) and Chad’s telecommunications regulator ARCEP, the two nations must finalize specific roaming agreements between mobile network operators, complete interconnection work, and ensure that roaming traffic is correctly separated from international traffic.

Direct interconnection between the networks is also required to ensure seamless service, and tariff structures must be reviewed to comply with the principles of the CEMAC initiative.

What It Means for Users

Once implemented, mobile phone users traveling between Cameroon and Chad will be able to:

• Make and receive calls at domestic rates,
• Use mobile data without incurring additional roaming charges,
• Avoid purchasing local SIM cards or relying on costly international roaming services.

This change will be particularly impactful for cross-border workers, business travelers, and frequent commuters who regularly move between the two nations.

A Catalyst for Regional Progress?

Experts hope that the success of this bilateral launch will reignite momentum within the CEMAC region. Other member countries, such as the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Central African Republic, have lagged in implementing similar measures due to technical delays, legal ambiguities, and operator resistance.

By leading the way, Cameroon and Chad are now seen as potential role models for effective regional collaboration in the telecom sector. Their progress could inspire neighboring countries to accelerate efforts toward a unified digital space in Central Africa.

Final Thoughts

The upcoming launch of free roaming between Cameroon and Chad is more than a telecommunications agreement — it represents a strategic shift toward deeper regional integration, greater digital inclusion, and a more connected Central Africa. If successfully implemented, it could set the standard for broader cooperation in the region and bring tangible benefits to everyday mobile users on both sides of the border.