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ECOWAS parliaments releases guidelines for uniform telecom roaming services as operators call for in region end to roaming fees

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3 years ago

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A Parliamentary joint committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has proposed a unified mobile telecommunications and internet data service in the region. This was disclosed at the end of the 5-day delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament Committees on Telecommunications and Information Technology/Education, Science and Culture/Trade Customs and Free Movement held in Niamey, Republic of Niger. The joint committee called on the ECOWAS Parliament to partner with the ECOWAS Commission in all the phases of the development and implementation of the telecommunications and information technology policies and programmes.

Meanwhile, a group of telecommunications industry experts have asked governments in the region to support initiatives to end roaming fees. This is what happens in the European Union. When you travel outside your home country to another EU country, you don’t have to pay any additional charges to use your mobile phone, your calls, text messages (SMS) and data use are charged at domestic rates, i.e. the same price as calls, texts and data within your home country. In West Africa, the Managing Director, Radiant Skills Nigeria Ltd, Abuja, Temple Iheanacho, said that the requisite political will is needed to ensure a seamless roaming within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. Iheanacho made the submission during the Delocalised Meeting of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications and Information Technology/Education, Science and Culture/Trade Customs and Free Movement in Niamey, Republic of Niger.

Speaking on the topic ‘Roaming and Recommendations on Regional Mobile Roaming Guidelines which includes: Mobile Network Operators/Service Providers and Regulatory Authorities in ECOWAS,’ Iheanacho also said with determination, the ECOWAS sub-region “can crush the mountains of fear and doubt in ourselves.” The former Head of Data Centre and Operations Division, ECOWAS Commission, further said the sub-region can find a way through the most difficult situations and does not mean being insensitive to the reality of the situation as it affects some of the member states. He added that the determination of the sub-region depended greatly on the strength of its desire or how important the sub-region considered roaming. “The EU roaming was a successful political move and had a great economic impact on both consumers and mobile operators. If this had worked effectively in Europe and Asia, there is no reason why it should not work in the ECOWAS region. All that is needed for success in this endeavour, is the political will and the determination of all stakeholders (Heads of Governments, Ministers in Charge of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS Court of Justice, National Regulatory Authorities (NRA), Network Operators and Service Providers, etc). They all should, as a matter of urgency, come together to agree on this,” Iheanacho said.

The committee also tasked the ECOWAS Parliament and ECOWAS Commission to ensure support from highest authorities at national level (Presidents and Prime Ministers) for effective implementation of the regulation for the benefits of ECOWAS citizens. The committee also called on the ECOWAS Parliament and ECOWAS Commission to ensure that National Regulatory Agencies (NRAs) utilise their powers within the limits of applicable law and regulations to compel the mobile operators to comply with all provisions of the regulation. Penalties, the committee added, should also be envisaged for operators that refuse to comply. The committee further recommended to member states to ensure that a regulator is in place to ensure proper regulation of MNOs and SPs in the provision of high-quality and affordable roaming services to consumers. While saying that set standards must be adhered to by all, the committee further recommended that member states should provide incentives to fledging mobile network operators and service providers to encourage them to provide high-quality and affordable roaming services to consumers. “This could involve encouraging new entrants into the market, promoting market liberalisation and deregulation, and removing barriers to entry for new players,” the committee said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis, has charged Members of the ECOWAS Parliament and all relevant stakeholders to remain committed to the cause of ensuring a seamless roaming within the sub-region. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the ECOWAS  Parliament Joint Committee on Telecommunications and Information Technology/Education, Science and Culture/Trade Customs and Free Movement, Tunis said a win in this sphere will facilitate the reality of implementing the Protocol on Free Movement of People, goods and services, thereby enhancing the citizens’ active participation in the overall regional economic activities. Tunis, who was represented by the Fourth Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Adja Satu Camara Pinto, also said though daunting, the task to the people is simple. “We must continue to find, create, and consolidate on every means and opportunity to bring the above stated to fruition. Once again, I implore you to continue to work towards making the sub-region  progressive for the betterment of the lives of its citizens,” Tunis said.

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Economy

Nigeria champions African-Arab trade to boost agribusiness, industrial growth

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2 days ago

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December 5, 2025

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The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program and the Federal Republic of Nigeria formalized a partnership with the signing of the AATB Membership Agreement, officially welcoming Nigeria as the Program’s newest member country. The signing ceremony took place in Abuja on the sidelines of the 5th AATB Board of Governors Meeting, hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Membership Agreement was signed by Eng. Adeeb Y. Al Aama, the CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and AATB Program Secretary General, and H.E. Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Agreement will provide a strategic and operational framework to support Nigeria’s efforts in trade competitiveness, promote export diversification, strengthen priority value chains, and advance capacity-building efforts in line with national development priorities. Areas of collaboration will include trade promotion, agribusiness modernization, SME development, businessmen missions, trade facilitation, logistics efficiency, and digital trade readiness.

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, called for deeper trade collaboration between African and Arab nations, stressing the importance of value-added Agribusiness and industrial partnerships for regional growth. Speaking in Abuja at the Agribusiness Matchmaking Forum ahead of the AATB Board of Governors Meeting, the Minister said the shifting global economy makes it essential for African and Arab nations to rely more on regional cooperation, investment and shared markets.

He highlighted projections showing Arab-Africa trade could grow by more than US$37 billion in the next three years and urged partners to prioritize value addition rather than raw commodity exports. He noted that Nigeria’s growing industrial base and upcoming National Single Window reforms will support efficiency, investment and private-sector expansion.

“This is a moment to turn opportunity into action”, he said. “By working together, we can build stronger value chains, create jobs and support prosperity across our regions”, Edun emphasized. “As African and Arab nations embark on this journey of deeper trade collaboration, the potential for growth and development is vast. With a shared vision and commitment to value-added partnerships, we can unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and create a brighter future for our people.”

Speaking during the event, Eng. Adeeb Y. Al Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC and Secretary General of the AATB Program, stated: “We are pleased to welcome Nigeria to be part of the AATB Program. Nigeria stands as one of Africa’s most dynamic and resilient economies in Africa, with a rapidly expanding private sector and strong potential across agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, and digital industries. Through this Membership Agreement, we look forward to collaborating closely with Nigerian institutions to strengthen value chains, expand regional market access, enhance trade finance and investment opportunities, and support the country’s development priorities.”

The signing of this Agreement underscores AATB’s continued engagement with African countries and its evolving portfolio of programs supporting trade and investment. In recent years, AATB has worked on initiatives across agribusiness, textiles, logistics, digital trade, export readiness under the AfCFTA framework, and other regional initiatives such as the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) Programme.

With Nigeria’s accession, the AATB Program extends it’s presence in the region and adds a key partner working toward advancing trade-led development and fostering inclusive economic growth.

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Economy

FEC approves 2026–2028 MTEF, projects N34.33trn revenue 

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2 days ago

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December 4, 2025

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Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a key fiscal document that outlines Nigeria’s revenue expectations, macroeconomic assumptions, and spending priorities for the next three years. The approval followed Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu made this known after the meeting.

The Minister said the Federal Government is projecting a total revenue inflow of N34.33 trillion in 2026, including N4.98 trillion expected from government-owned enterprises. Bagudu said that the projected revenue is N6.55 trillion lower than earlier estimates, adding that federal allocations are expected to drop by about N9.4 trillion, representing a 16% decline compared to the 2025 budget.

He said that statutory transfers are expected to amount to about N3 trillion within the same fiscal year. On macroeconomic assumptions, FEC adopted an oil production benchmark of 2.6 million barrels per day (mbpd) for 2026, although a more conservative 1.8 mbpd will be used for budgeting purposes. An oil price benchmark of $64 per barrel and an exchange rate of N1,512 per dollar were also approved.

Bagudu said the exchange rate assumption reflects projections tied to economic and political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said the exchange rate assumption took into account the fiscal outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The minister said that all the parameters were based on macroeconomic analysis by the Budget Office and other relevant agencies. Bagudu said FEC also reviewed comments from cabinet members before approving the Medium-Term Fiscal Expenditure Ceiling (MFTEC), which sets expenditure limits. Earlier, the Senate approved the external borrowing plan of $21.5 billion presented by President Tinubu for consideration The loans, according to the Senate, were part of the MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for the 2025 budget.

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Economy

CBN hikes interest on treasury Bills above inflation rate

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2 days ago

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December 4, 2025

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The spot rate on Nigerian Treasury bills has been increased by 146 basis points by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) following tight subscription levels at the main auction on Wednesday. The spot rate on Treasury bills with one-year maturity has now surpassed Nigeria’s 16.05% inflation by 145 basis points following a recent decision to keep the policy rate at 27%. 

The Apex Bank came to the primary market with N700 billion Treasury bills offer size across standard tenors, including 91-day, 182-day and 364 day maturities. Details from the auction results showed that demand settled slightly above the total offers as investors began to seek higher returns on naira assets despite disinflation.

Total subscription came in at about N775 billion versus N700 billion offers floated at the main auction. The results showed rising appetite for duration as investors parked about 90% of their bids on Nigerian Treasury bills with 364 days maturity. The CBN opened N100 billion worth of 91 days bills for subscription, but the offer received underwhelming bids totalling N44.17 billion.

The CBN allotted N42.80 billion for the short-term instrument at the spot rate of 15.30%, the same as the previous auction. Total demand for 182 days Nigerian Treasury bills settled at N33.38 billion as against N150 billion that the authority pushed out for subscription. The CBN raised N30.36 billion from 182 days bills allotted to investors at the spot rate of 15.50%, the same as the previous auction.

Investors staked N697.29 billion on N450 billion in 364-day Treasury bills that was offered for subscription. The CBN raised N636.46 billion from the longest tenor at the spot rate of 17.50%, up from 16.04% at the previous auction.

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