The East African Community (EAC) has initiated a series of regional engagements aimed at developing a harmonized mobile roaming framework, according to a statement from the EAC Secretariat. The initiative seeks to reduce the cost of cross-border mobile communication, which is expected to boost regional trade and integration.
The EAC, comprising Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, has been working on this framework as part of its digital transformation agenda. The consultations involve telecommunications regulators, mobile network operators, and other stakeholders from the partner states.
The proposed framework is designed to eliminate high roaming charges that currently hinder seamless communication across borders. By harmonizing tariffs and technical standards, the EAC aims to create a single mobile network area, similar to the European Union's 'Roam Like at Home' model.
The EAC Secretary General, Veronica Nduva, emphasized that affordable roaming is critical for the region's economic growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on cross-border trade. The engagements are expected to culminate in a formal agreement by the end of 2026.
