East African Community (EAC) Equips Communications Officers to Champion Enhanced Regional Mobile Roaming Framework

The East African Community (EAC), through the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), has brought together Communications Officers from the eight EAC Partner States to strengthen awareness and promote coordinated communication on the Enhanced Regional Mobile Roaming Framework.

The Framework builds on the achievements of the One Network Area (ONA) by making cross-border mobile communication more affordable, accessible and seamless. Once implemented, it is expected to make it easier for citizens to stay connected while travelling, enable cross-border traders and businesses to communicate more efficiently with customers and suppliers, and expand access to digital services across the region.

The Framework also strengthens consumer protection and transparency by providing for clearer information on roaming terms, fair-use policies and usage limits, as well as mechanisms to help protect consumers from unexpected roaming charges.

In addition to voice services, the Enhanced Framework incorporates SMS and mobile data services, broadening the scope of regional roaming to support seamless voice, messaging and data connectivity across Partner States. This is expected to improve access to affordable and reliable digital communication for citizens, businesses and travellers moving across the region.

The Nairobi workshop equipped Communications Officers from ministries responsible for ICT and EAC Affairs, as well as national communications regulatory authorities, with the knowledge and common messages needed to communicate the Framework clearly and consistently to citizens, businesses and other stakeholders. Participants also developed harmonised regional messages and communication approaches to address information gaps, promote public understanding and counter misinformation.

The Enhanced Regional Mobile Roaming Framework has been approved by the EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology and is now awaiting adoption by the EAC Council of Ministers, in line with the EAC approval process. Once adopted and implemented, the Framework is expected to contribute to lower communication barriers, stronger cross-border trade and business interaction, improved access to digital services, and deeper regional integration.

Through EARDIP, the EAC is advancing the regional digital integration agenda by strengthening connectivity, enabling seamless cross-border digital services and unlocking greater opportunities for citizens and businesses across East Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).