Senegal and West African Regulators Sign Agreements to Improve Cross-Border Telecom Services
The agreements, formalized during a meeting in Dakar, aim to harmonize tariffs, strengthen coordination among national regulatory authorities, and improve service quality across the region.
The Authority for Regulation of Telecommunications and Posts (ARTP) of Senegal has signed bilateral agreements with its West African counterparts from Benin (ARCEP), Gambia (PURA), Mali (AMRTP), and Togo (ARCEP) to enhance telecommunications services for travelers and reduce community “homelessness” in digital connectivity.
The agreements, formalized during a meeting in Dakar, aim to harmonize tariffs, strengthen coordination among national regulatory authorities, and improve service quality across the region. ARTP General Manager Dahirou Thiam described the initiative as “an important milestone for West African digital integration,” following months of consultation between regulator teams.
Under the new protocols, which will take effect on March 1, 2026, residents traveling within the participating countries will enjoy several benefits. These include free incoming calls for up to 30 consecutive days of stay, billing for voice, SMS, and data services at local rates in the visited country, and the elimination of surcharge taxes on incoming and outgoing international traffic between the signatory countries.
The agreements are viewed as a major step toward creating a regional digital market, improving access to affordable telecommunications, and fostering economic and social integration across West Africa.
