The East African Community (EAC) is stepping up efforts to make regional mobile phone roaming cheaper, fairer, and more accessible, following a series of national consultations held in August under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP).
Governments, regulators, and mobile operators across the EAC Partner States met to review and validate proposed improvements to the region’s One Network Area (ONA) framework. While the ONA has significantly reduced roaming costs since its launch, stakeholders acknowledged persistent gaps that hinder its full potential.
“East Africans should be able to move, trade, and connect across our borders without worrying about exorbitant phone bills,” said Dr. Franklin Makokha of the Communications Authority of Kenya. “This is about making regional integration real in people’s daily lives.”
Participants agreed on the need to strengthen the ONA framework to support the EAC Common Market Protocol, which guarantees the free movement of people, goods, and services. Key focus areas include affordability, accessibility, and interoperability of mobile services across national borders.
“We need to advance regional connectivity with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and interoperability,” said Ferdinand Manirakiza, Permanent Secretary in Burundi’s Ministry of Communication, Information Technologies and Media.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the newest EAC members, emphasized its commitment to aligning with ONA, describing the harmonized regional roaming regime as a key enabler of integration.
“DRC seeks to align fully in order to benefit from participation in the ONA,” said Dominique Mungimba Moket of the DRC’s telecommunications regulator.
Somalia also expressed urgency in joining the initiative. “It is strategic for Somalia to align with EAC rules and practices, including harmonising sector frameworks to advance the broader regional economic agenda,” said Eng. Naima Hassan of Somalia’s National Communications Authority.
Participants underscored the need for a standardized interconnect regulatory framework to support fair pricing, efficient traffic routing, and healthy competition. In addition to cost concerns, other challenges identified include SIM boxing, lack of fair usage policies, and limited enforcement mechanisms across Partner States.
Consumer awareness also emerged as a critical barrier. Stakeholders noted that despite the cost-saving potential of the ONA, many users remain unaware of its benefits.
“The message is simple: ONA must work for everyone — the trader crossing a border, the student studying abroad, and the operator investing in networks,” said Julianne Mweheire of the Uganda Communications Commission.
A revised framework is expected to introduce fraud safeguards, fair usage rules, regional enforcement mechanisms, and support for emerging technologies such as e-SIMs, IoT roaming, and data-driven services.
Rwanda reaffirmed its backing of the initiative. “We fully support any citizen-focused digital initiative that demonstrates clear socio-economic benefits,” said Fidel Karenzi, Senior Technologist in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
Tanzania emphasized the economic potential of a harmonized regime. “It is not only a driver of regional integration but also a catalyst for business growth,” said Fuad Adam Rwabuhungu of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority.
The consultations brought together ICT ministries, EAC affairs departments, telecom regulators, and licensed mobile operators. Their shared goal: to inform enhancements to the ONA framework covering voice, data, and SMS services, and to promote sustainable, inclusive regional connectivity.
“Closing the gaps in ONA will unlock vast opportunities,” said Mweheire.
