Ghana and Burkina Faso have signed a new agreement to allow mobile subscribers to use their phones across both countries without paying roaming fees, marking another step toward deeper regional integration. The Memorandum of Understanding between Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) and Burkina Faso’s Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) was signed during the Digital Week in Ouagadougou.
The deal sets out the technical and regulatory framework needed to introduce free roaming, enabling travellers to make calls, send messages and use data services at domestic rates. With this, Ghana has now completed free-roaming arrangements with all its neighbours.
At the ceremony, NCA Deputy Director General for Technical Operations, Suleman Salifu, said the partnership builds on years of cooperation between the two regulators. “He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening regional connectivity and ensuring that communication services become more accessible, affordable and seamless for citizens.” He added that the MoU is expected to “further strengthen institutional cooperation and lay the foundation for more joint initiatives in the future.”
ARCEP Executive Secretary Patrice Compaoré said the removal of roaming charges will make communication easier for travellers on both sides of the border. He stated that the change “will allow Burkinabé travelers in Ghana, as well as Ghanaian nationals in Burkina Faso, to communicate at rates similar to those charged in their countries of origin.” He added that the agreement would support bilateral cooperation by easing exchanges between the two countries.
Regulators and mobile network operators from both countries will now work on implementation and testing ahead of the planned launch in April 2026. The NCA acknowledged the role of Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and the support of network operators in completing the agreement.
The signing was attended by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel George, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, and representatives of mobile network operators from both countries.
