By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Senegal and The Gambia have
reinforced their commitment to regional digital integration following a
high-level cooperation agreement between the Autorité de Régulation des
Télécommunications et des Postes du Sénégal (ARTP) and the Public Utilities
Regulatory Authority (PURA) of The Gambia.
The agreement was reached
during an official working visit by the Director General of ARTP to The Gambia,
where discussions focused on strengthening cross-border telecommunications
coordination and advancing shared regulatory priorities between the two countries.
Key areas of engagement
included the coordination of radio frequencies to prevent network interference
and unintentional roaming, as well as technical and regulatory adjustments
required for the gradual implementation of Senegal-Gambia free roaming services,
which were introduced in December 2025.
Under the free roaming
arrangement, travellers within the regional space are able to receive calls at
no cost and make outgoing calls at local rates in the visited country without
changing their SIM cards for a period of up to 30 days. Officials described the
initiative as a practical step toward improving connectivity and easing
communication barriers for citizens across both nations.
The discussions culminated
in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ARTP and PURA, covering
several regulatory cooperation areas, including mutual technical assistance. As
part of the agreement, ARTP has committed to seconding a Senegalese expert in
postal regulation to support PURA as it expands its regulatory mandate in the
sector.
The signing ceremony was
presided over by The Gambia’s Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting
Services, Ismaila Ceesay, and attended by senior officials from both countries,
including the Ambassador of Senegal to The Gambia and representatives of
telecommunications operators.
Officials noted that the
partnership aligns with broader regional efforts to deepen digital integration
in West Africa and reflects commitments made during recent high-level state
engagements between Senegal and The Gambia.
Authorities from both sides
emphasized that continued regulatory cooperation is essential for building a
seamless digital ecosystem, enhancing connectivity, and supporting economic
integration across the subregion.
The agreement is expected to
further strengthen institutional collaboration and accelerate ongoing efforts
to harmonize telecommunications policies in support of regional digital
transformation.
