Unifying Africa’s connectivity for digital growth

Telecommunications leaders from across Africa gathered in Kampala, Uganda, for a Knowledge Exchange and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop focused on the One Africa Network (OAN) and the EAC One Network Area (ONA)

This workshop was a major step toward creating a harmonised telecommunications framework across Africa. Hosted jointly by Smart Africa and the EAC Secretariat, the event brought together policymakers, regulators, mobile network operators (MNOs), and development partners to address key regulatory and implementation challenges hindering Africa’s digital integration.

The OAN and ONA initiatives are designed to make cross-border communication more affordable by eliminating excessive roaming fees, standardising regulations, and promoting intergovernmental cooperation. These efforts aim to accelerate regional integration, boost economic development, and expand digital access for African citizens.

Smart Africa’s senior director of strategy and growth, Didier Nkurikiyimfura, commented, “I take this opportunity to reaffirm Smart Africa’s commitment to fostering an interconnected digital economy on the continent as we strive to attain the ambitions of the Heads of State from Smart Africa’s 40 member countries to accelerate digital integration across the continent.”

Representing the EAC secretary general, Veronica Nduva, the EAC principal information technology officer, Daniel Murenzi, highlighted the region’s progress toward affordable connectivity.

Seamless connectivity unlocked

“In 2015, the EAC Heads of State directed the implementation of a ‘One Network Area’ (ONA), essentially eliminating roaming charges and establishing uniform calling rates within the region. This directive aimed to facilitate increased connectivity and economic activity across the EAC bloc. Today, six (6) out of eight (8) EAC Partner States have adopted aspects of the ONA, significantly lowering roaming costs, with efforts ongoing to include the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia,” said Murenzi.

“The EAC remains committed to digital integration and strengthening collaboration with Smart Africa and other partners as we work towards a Single Digital Market, ensuring affordable communication across Africa,” added Murenzi.

To further advance digital integration, the EAC is working through the World Bank-funded Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) to develop regulatory frameworks that will expand and finalise ONA implementation.

A strong and reliable network infrastructure is essential for seamless roaming, but disparities in telecommunications investment across countries pose challenges. Some regions lack adequate mobile towers, fibre-optic networks, or sufficient capacity for cross-border connectivity. Addressing these gaps requires significant financial investment, which can be difficult for resource-limited nations.

Additionally, ensuring interoperability between different networks and operators is crucial for an efficient roaming experience. The workshop identified the need for increased investment, regional cooperation, and supportive policies to improve infrastructure development and ensure reliable connectivity.

Creating a unified roaming system also requires collaboration between multiple governments and service providers. One of the major hurdles is aligning policies and technical standards across different countries. Variations in existing regulations, economic conditions, and telecommunications policies make it difficult to establish a single, streamlined framework that benefits both consumers and service providers.

Moreover, differences in national telecommunications regulations can create additional barriers to seamless roaming. Some countries impose high taxes or strict policies that complicate foreign operator service provision. Achieving regulatory alignment across multiple nations requires extensive negotiations and cooperation among governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. A well-structured regulatory framework is critical for ensuring fair competition, consumer protection, and smooth cross-border connectivity.

Pricing for roaming services remains a key concern. While consumers often face high costs when using mobile networks outside their home countries, service providers must also maintain financial viability. Striking the right balance between affordability for users and sustainable revenue for operators is essential.

The workshop also addressed critical aspects of a unified roaming system, including SIM boxing fraud prevention, regional interconnection gateways, inter-operator settlement mechanisms, dispute resolution, fraud management, and the development of a structured international roaming implementation strategy.

By aligning regional efforts with broader continental digital integration goals and fostering data-driven policy discussions, the event marked a crucial step forward. Consensus was reached on refining regional roaming frameworks using existing structures, paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking African telecommunications ecosystem.