Burkina Faso and Ghana Sign Landmark Free Roaming Agreement During Digital Week
This initiative allows subscribers to enjoy the same local rates they would pay in their home country, enhancing mobility and fostering closer regional connections.
Burkina Faso has made significant strides in regional telecommunications with the signing of several agreements during the 20th edition of the Digital Week. The event, held on Friday, November 20, 2025, was presided over by Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the Minister of Digital Transition, Postal and Electronic Communications. The signing ceremony brought together telecommunications officials from neighboring countries Mali, Niger, and Ghana, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in the digital and communication sectors.
One of the key agreements signed was between the electronic communications regulators of Burkina Faso and Ghana. This agreement introduces Free Roaming for subscribers between the two countries, meaning that Burkinabe users traveling to Ghana will be able to communicate without incurring roaming fees, and vice versa for Ghanaian users in Burkina Faso. This initiative allows subscribers to enjoy the same local rates they would pay in their home country, enhancing mobility and fostering closer regional connections. The move is seen as an important step toward strengthening digital integration within the region.
Dr. Zerbo/Sabane highlighted that this agreement marks a major milestone and suggested that similar agreements with other countries in the region are expected soon. These efforts aim to improve communication accessibility and quality for citizens across the sub-region, promoting better digital integration.
In addition to the Free Roaming agreement, Burkina Faso also signed two conventions related to frequency coordination. The first is a bilateral agreement with Ghana, and the second is a framework agreement with the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). These agreements focus on better managing telecommunications frequencies across borders, which will improve the quality of mobile networks and television broadcasts, ensuring clearer signals and more reliable connections.
The Minister took a moment to commend the efforts of the technical teams involved in the agreements, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. Wendlassida Patrice Compaoré, the Executive Secretary of ARCEP Burkina, also emphasized the importance of strong coordination between operators and regulators in implementing Free Roaming, particularly in harmonizing tariffs to suit the unique economic conditions of each country.
