The National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Cote d’Ivoire (ARTCI) have commenced an Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Roaming meeting with representatives of their respective Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The meeting started on Monday, February 20, 2023 and is expected to end on 22nd February 2023. Find out more about Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire roaming news below.

The meeting is intended to establish a framework for a proposed ECOWAS Roaming pilot exercise that allows MNOs of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to activate and test all roaming services as well as deliberate and find solutions to all outstanding issues between the MNOs in the two countries that could impede the smooth implementation of the proposed pilot exercise.

Prof. Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, Deputy Director General – Technical Operations who delivered the welcome remarks in the Director General’s stead, stated that over the years, the NCA and ARTCI have collaborated on matters relating to policy and regulatory interventions. It is therefore pleasing to note that Ghana and Ivory Coast are stepping forward with the aim of experimenting with a new approach to enable effective implementation of the ECOWAS Roaming bringing on board all stakeholders.

He further expressed optimism that at the end of the meeting, both countries together with their MNOs will be able to deliberate and progress into a collaborative development that will provide empirical data to inform decisions and also incentivize other countries in the Region to commit to the initiative.

The Head of the ARTCI delegation, Mr. Koukou Guy-Michel expressed gratitude to the NCA for accepting their proposal to embark on the pilot exercise. Additionally, he was hopeful that with the representation of MNOs of both Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, all challenges in relation to the project would be tackled by the end of the meeting.

ECOWAS Roaming Regulation Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire roaming

He further remarked that the success of the pilot exercise could be shared within the ECOWAS as a positive experience to finalize the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Roaming Regulation.

MNOs present at the meeting includes MTN Ghana, AirtelTigo, Vodafone Ghana, Moov Africa CI, Orange CI and MTN CI.
Prior to this engagement with the MNOs, ARTCI paid a courtesy call on the Director General of the NCA who was represented by his Deputy Directors General, Dr. Ezer Osei YeboahBoateng, and Madam Olivia Okailey Quartey following which a Regulatory Meeting was held between the two Regulators.
The NCA seizes this opportunity to express its appreciation to the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) for its support and to all MNOs in Ghana for their efforts and dedication so far towards the Project.
The Authority is also confident that with the MoCD’s support and direction, this project will come to fruition for the benefit of all. Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire roaming