By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Marking a major step towards regional digital integration, the National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) has officially activated the ECOWAS Free Roaming service in Sierra Leone. Effective Wednesday, August 6, 2025, mobile phone users traveling to Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Liberia can enjoy seamless communication without switching SIM cards or paying additional roaming charges.

The new service enables:

- Free incoming calls for 30 days


- Local rates for outgoing calls and data usage


- Elimination of international roaming fees for short-term travelers


- Immediate access through Africell and Orange, with QCell expected to join soon

To activate the service, users can dial:

- *235# for Africell


- *266# for Orange

Speaking on the significance of the rollout, NatCA Director General Amara Brewah emphasized the Authority’s ongoing commitment to improving service quality and affordability. “We had to make it clear that the people of Sierra Leone deserve better,” he said. “Quality of Service is a big issue, but NatCA is committed to addressing it. This free roaming activation is part of our broader strategy to balance consumer expectations, investor confidence and Government priorities.”

The move by Sierra Leone and Liberia to activate ECOWAS free roaming is part of a broader regional effort to create a digitally connected West Africa. This initiative is a cornerstone of the ECOWAS agenda to facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services, thereby enhancing trade, tourism and cross-border social connections.

The journey began in June 2023, when Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire pioneered the first bilateral free roaming agreement. Since then, Ghana has extended the service to Togo, Benin and The Gambia, with several other countries lining up to join the digital integration wave.

Under the initiative, bilateral and tripartite memorandums of understanding (MoUs) allow mobile subscribers to enjoy consistent access to communication services across borders; receiving calls at no cost and paying domestic rates for outgoing calls and internet usage for up to 30 days.

The ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative is already proving transformative for individuals and businesses, particularly in the informal trade and tourism sectors. The removal of high roaming costs reduces the burden on travelers and small business owners who frequently cross borders within the region.

According to NatCA, this initiative aligns with the Government of Sierra Leone’s vision of affordable, accessible and reliable communication for all. It is also expected to catalyze broader economic integration across the sub-region.

However, challenges remain. High interconnection fees between operators and limited direct network links still present obstacles to a fully regional implementation. Despite this, the continued success of bilateral agreements demonstrates strong momentum.

With more countries in the ECOWAS bloc preparing to sign on, the vision of a digitally interconnected West Africa is fast becoming a reality. Telecom regulators, including Sierra Leone’s NatCA and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), are actively engaged in building the infrastructure and policy frameworks necessary to expand the service.

Building momentum in regional connectivity, NatCA’s efforts now allow Sierra Leoneans to travel freely while staying connected without extra costs. This development goes beyond technology; it represents a significant step toward deeper regional unity and expanded economic opportunity. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/natca-activates-ecowas-free-roaming-across-cote-divoire-gambia-and-liberia/