SADC plans to implement “Roam Like at Home”, inspired by the EU
The Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) has long advocated for the introduction of harmonised mobile roaming charges across Southern Africa, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” model. The goal is to reduce the high cost of cross-border mobile usage and strengthen regional digital integration across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
While earlier discussions focused on a region-wide roaming framework covering all 16 SADC member states, recent developments show that the initiative is gradually taking shape through smaller groups of participating countries implementing the concept in stages.
One of the most concrete steps forward came with the rollout of the One Network Area (ONA) framework among several SADC members.
Regional progress through the One Network Area initiative
The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) recently announced that Botswana and five other SADC member states have collaborated to significantly reduce and harmonise mobile roaming tariffs under the ONA framework.
The participating countries include:
Botswana
Malawi
Lesotho
Mozambique
Zambia
Zimbabwe
ONA is designed to create a seamless regional communications environment by aligning roaming tariffs and ensuring that prices reflect actual network costs rather than excessive mark-ups.
According to BOCRA, the initiative is aligned with broader SADC efforts to gradually reduce roaming charges across the region, with the long-term ambition of expanding the framework to include additional member states.
Botswana and Namibia were among the first countries within SADC to introduce reduced and harmonised roaming tariffs in August 2024, providing a practical model for wider regional adoption.
Data pricing at the center of reform
A key focus of the initiative is the reduction of mobile data costs, which regulators consider essential for digital transformation and economic development.
Under the current implementation, operators across participating countries have reduced roaming prices for data, voice, and SMS services by between 10% and 98.6%, depending on the service category. However, detailed information about the participating mobile operators and the exact implementation timelines has not yet been fully disclosed.
Lower roaming prices are expected to benefit a wide range of users, particularly cross-border traders, small businesses, and frequent travellers who regularly move between Southern African countries.
Economic impact for consumers and operators
For consumers, harmonised roaming tariffs could dramatically reduce communication costs while travelling within the region.
High roaming prices have traditionally discouraged mobile usage abroad, forcing travellers to rely on local SIM cards, Wi-Fi connections, or simply limit communication while crossing borders. By introducing cost-reflective roaming rates, the ONA framework aims to make cross-border connectivity far more predictable and affordable.
At the same time, telecom operators may face adjustments to their revenue models. International roaming has historically been a profitable service due to high margins. Lower tariffs could reduce these revenues, encouraging operators to focus more heavily on data services, digital platforms, and value-added offerings.
Implementation challenges remain
Despite the progress, implementing a fully harmonised roaming framework across Southern Africa remains complex.
Regulatory alignment remains one of the biggest challenges. Each SADC member state has its own telecommunications regulations, pricing structures, and competitive market conditions. Reaching consensus on wholesale roaming agreements and retail pricing frameworks requires ongoing coordination among regulators and operators.
Network readiness is another critical factor. Seamless roaming requires compatible infrastructure, robust billing systems, and clear inter-operator agreements to ensure that services function smoothly across borders.
There is also the challenge of consistent enforcement. Without a single regional telecom regulator, ensuring that all participating operators comply with agreed pricing structures may prove difficult.
Learning from other regional models
The SADC initiative also draws lessons from similar efforts in other parts of Africa.
The East African Community (EAC) launched its own One Network Area framework between 2014 and 2015, covering Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The program allows users to pay local rates for calls, SMS, and data when travelling within participating countries.
While the EAC model has significantly reduced roaming costs, implementation has sometimes been uneven due to regulatory differences and varying levels of network infrastructure across partner states.
These experiences highlight the importance of strong coordination and regulatory alignment when implementing regional telecom reforms.
Conclusion
Although a fully unified roaming market across Southern Africa is still evolving, the expansion of the One Network Area initiative shows that the region is moving steadily in that direction. By reducing roaming tariffs and prioritising affordable mobile data, participating countries are laying the groundwork for deeper digital integration and cross-border connectivity.
For businesses, traders, and travellers who move frequently across Southern African borders, lower roaming costs could significantly improve communication and economic activity. At the same time, the gradual rollout of ONA suggests that regional roaming reform will likely progress step by step, rather than through a single region-wide policy.
If additional SADC members join the framework in the coming years, Southern Africa could eventually move closer to a roaming environment that mirrors the European Union’s “Roam Like at Home” model, making mobile connectivity across borders simpler, cheaper, and more predictable for millions of users.
