ADAFP welcomes reducing mobile roaming charges

15 March 2026

 

The African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress warmly welcomes the decision by Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe to drastically reduce mobile roaming charges under the One Network Area framework. Reductions of up to 98.6 percent represent a major step toward building a more integrated, connected, and economically dynamic Africa. Affordable and reliable digital communication is no longer a luxury; it is a foundation for economic growth, entrepreneurship, education, and democratic participation.

By lowering the cost of voice calls, SMS, and especially mobile data across borders, the participating countries are removing barriers that have long limited trade, travel, and cooperation among African citizens and businesses. The Alliance particularly applauds the focus on reducing mobile data costs. Across Africa, mobile networks are the primary gateway to the internet for millions of people.

Making cross-border connectivity affordable will strengthen digital commerce, support small and medium enterprises, expand financial inclusion, and empower young innovators across the region. This initiative also demonstrates the practical benefits of regional cooperation. By harmonizing telecom regulations and tariffs, Southern African countries are taking concrete steps toward building a unified digital market—an objective that aligns with the broader goals of continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress encourages other African regional communities and governments to follow this example. Expanding similar arrangements across the continent would significantly accelerate Africa’s digital transformation and deepen economic integration. We also call on regulators and telecommunications companies to ensure that the benefits of these reforms reach ordinary citizens through transparent pricing, improved network quality, and continued investment in digital infrastructure. The Alliance believes that a connected Africa is a stronger Africa.

Initiatives like the One Network Area framework show that practical cooperation can directly improve the daily lives of African people while advancing the continent’s long-term development and integration.

African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress