MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Liberia and Sierra Leone have officially launched the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free-roaming policy, reducing charges on voice calls and data packages between both countries.
The implementation of the policy, which begins on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, this week, seeks to foster cross-border trade and communication among citizens of the two ECOWAS member states.
Speaking on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the launching ceremony in Monrovia, ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah, praised the Governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone for using their political will to ensure implementation of the policy.
Ambassador Nkrumah said,” The launch of the policy between Sierra Leone and Liberia marks the beginning of bilateral collaboration between ECOWAS member states”, while encouraging stakeholders to continue expanding the initiative to other countries.
The ECOWAS envoy says the regional body has already launched an independent evidence-based and consultative study to evaluate the regulatory impact of the initiative, while craving stronger collaboration to inform practical and actionable recommendations to address remaining implementation gaps.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Alyu Yusuf Aboki, says,” The launch of the free-roaming policy between Liberia and Sierra Leone is a concrete step to making communication more accessible”.
According to Aboki, the move aligns with the aspirations of ECOWAS member states, the regional body’s economy, trade, tourism, security cooperation, and social ties.
The Executive Director of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Authority believes the ECOWAS free-roaming policy, when fully implemented, will help people in the region to stay connected through reliable and affordable communication.
He said,” The launch of the initiative between Liberia and Sierra Leone demonstrates practical and people-oriented regulation, to lower cost and improve the quality of telecommunication services for the benefit of the region”.
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Boss pledged the body’s commitment to accelerate regulatory alignment and build a simple communication market that connects people, deepens trade, and attracts investments.
At the same time, Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Chairman, Clarence Massaquoi, has disclosed ongoing talks with Ghana, the Ivory Coast, and the Gambia to begin implementation of the free-roaming policy.
According to Chairman Massaquoi, the goal is to push for a bottleneck Economic Community of West African States, enhance the movement of citizens, and foster cross-border trade.
The LTA Chairman says the initiative will fast-track the one ECOWAS currency that has been lingering in corridors of the region for years.
He praised the heads of Sierra Leone National Telecommunication Authority for accepting the free-roaming policy, disclosing that the move will remove barriers that have hindered Liberians and Sierra Leoneans for decades.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority Boss believes this will also serve as the beginning of lifting burdens from the shoulders of Liberians and Sierra Leoneans, while strengthening regional integration and ties.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone National Telecommunication Authority Director General, Amara Brewah, says the free-roaming policy is a step toward digital harmonization in the ECOWAS region.
According to Mr. Brewah, roaming is not just a technical capability, but the driver of inclusion and empowerment that keeps families and communities connected, and strengthens regional trade response.
The Sierra Leone National Telecommunication Authority Director General wants regulators in Sierra Leone to invest in infrastructure and protect customers in both countries during the implementation of the policy.
He said Sierra Leone National Telecommunication Authority stands ready to partner with Mano River Union member states to ensure the ECOWAS free-roaming policy is fully implemented.
Sierra Leone National Telecommunication Authority Boss also affirmed his country’s unwavering commitment to the implementation of all ECOWAS and MRU protocols for the betterment of the region.