Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia Sign Historic Free-Roaming Pact to Boost Regional Connectivity

Freetown, Sierra Leone –The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), alongside regulators from Sierra Leone and The Gambia, today signed a transformative free-roaming agreement designed to dismantle communication barriers and ignite economic growth across West Africa.

The agreement, formalized during a high-stakes two-day summit in Freetown, follows months of negotiations under the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Acting LTA Chairperson Abdullah L. Kamara hailed the pact as a “transformative vision” that will empower citizens, businesses, and travelers by eliminating exorbitant roaming fees and the hassle of swapping SIM cards across borders.

“No More ‘Welcome to Sierra Leone’ Texts with Hidden Costs” At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to seamless connectivity. Starting later this year, mobile users traveling between Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia will enjoy uninterrupted calls, texts, and data at local rates—a stark departure from today’s prohibitive roaming charges. Kamara emphasized that the move aligns with ECOWAS’s broader mandate to foster integration, stating, “Telecommunications should be a bridge, not a barrier. This is about unlocking opportunities for trade, tourism, and the free movement of our people.”

The pact is expected to catalyze cross-border commerce, reduce operational costs for businesses, and boost tourism by simplifying travel logistics. Kamara stressed its far-reaching impact: “Imagine a Liberian entrepreneur closing deals in Banjul without fearing a sky-high phone bill, or a Gambian tourist exploring Sierra Leone’s beaches while staying connected affordably. This is the future we’re building.”

The signing ceremony, attended by LTA Acting Commissioners Clarence Massaquoi and Ben Fofana, as well as senior officials from Sierra Leone’s National Communications Authority (NatCA) and The Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), underscored unprecedented regional cooperation. Kamara praised PURA’s technical team for their “professionalism and urgency” in fast-tracking the agreement.

While the initial phase covers three nations, regulators hinted at ambitions to expand the framework across all 15 ECOWAS member states. Kamara framed the agreement as a critical test case: “Today’s signing is a giant leap toward a borderless West Africa. Success here will set the tone for regional unity in telecommunications.”

Despite the optimism, Kamara issued a stern call for vigilance, urging mobile providers to comply fully with the agreement’s terms. “This victory means nothing if operators delay implementation or exploit loopholes,” he warned. Regulators plan to engage mobile network operators (MNOs) in the coming weeks to finalize technical and pricing structures.

Citizens can expect the free-roaming services to roll out by mid-2025, pending final approvals.