WATRA
WATRA works with national telecommunication regulatory authorities in 16 member states in West Africa to promote the adoption of regulations that stimulate investment in telecommunication infrastructure, deliver more affordable communication services to more citizens, enable faster and more secure economic transactions, and facilitate wider and easier access to public services. Together, we work to improve telecommunication sector regulation for economic transformation and social development of all communities in West Africa.
Digital Economy & Telecomms Regulation Trends
WATRA Updates: Governments & Regulatory Authorities
NCC urged to intervene as 9mobile service disruptions persist
Nigerian telecom operator 9mobile has been grappling with ongoing service outages since Friday, leaving subscribers across the country unable to make calls, access the internet, or use mobile data.
Internet users grew by 1.88 million in October – NCC
Nigeria’s Internet subscriber base grew by 1.88 million in October 2024, reaching a total of 134.78 million, up from 132.9 million recorded in September.
Nigeria's GBB deploys fibre optic network in three cities
Galaxy Backbone (GBB), the information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has announced the successful expansion of its state-of-the-art fibre optic network to Lagos, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, and Ilorin, capital of Kwara State in the north-central region.
NCC urged to intervene as 9mobile service disruptions persist
Nigerian telecom operator 9mobile has been grappling with ongoing service outages since Friday, leaving subscribers across the country unable to make calls, access the internet, or use mobile data.
EFCC nabs largest cybercrime syndicate in Lagos
EFCC raided a seven-storey building in Lagos to arrest the 792 suspects, including Nigerian, Chinese, Arab and Filipino nationals, who were allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams.
Nigeria ranks 7th in global mobile phone usage – NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a significant surge in daily data usage, with a 39% increase from last year, averaging 336 gigabytes per second.
LTA Authorizes Mobile Network Operators to Provide Promotional Prices for Consumers
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has authorized Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to offer promotional prices for consumers, effective Saturday, December 14, 2024.
NCC tasks operators on tariff simplification, quality of service
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has compelled telecom operators to ensure that tariff simplification does not impede the quality of telephony services in the country.
Watra to Push for Submarine Cable Resilience Across W'African Countries
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has joined global forces to push for submarine cable resilience across West African countries, Nigeria inclusive.
Nigeria, Ghana get free fibre service
A West Africa’s Internet service provider, Tizeti, has launched its free fibre broadband service in Nigeria and Ghana, setting a new benchmark for speed and accessibility in the region.
MTN's new research reinforces efforts to protect children online
MTN Group yesterday gathered policymakers, educators, advocacy groups, and digital safety experts to present the findings of its Online Child Safety African Insights research, which was undertaken in collaboration with IPSOS.
Nigeria tops global dating fraud chart, per new report
Online dating fraud is a global issue, and now we have new data to back it up. A new study by the University of Bristol, titled, The Geography of Online Dating Fraud, has dug into over 5,000 fake dating profiles, breaking down where these scams come from, who they target, and how they operate.
Starlink Expands to Cape Verde, Revolutionizing Internet Access
Starlink launches satellite internet in Cape Verde, enhancing digital inclusion and providing high-speed access to remote areas.
Nigeria to investigate MTN for poor service delivery
Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an inquiry into giant MTN Nigeria in response to consumer complaints about bad service.
Cabo Verde Telecom Launches Tender for Submarine Cable Expansion
Cabo Verde Telecom opens tender for submarine cables, boosting inter-island connectivity under Connectivity 2.0 initiative.
Ghana collaborates to expand ECOWAS free roaming to the Gambia
The National Communications Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), is currently engaged in negotiations with relevant stakeholders in The Gambia to advance the implementation of ECOWAS Free Roaming.
Guinea: ARPT hosts the West African Telecom Regulators Meeting
Guinea will host the 2nd session of the Working Group Meeting of the West African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (WATRA) from November 19 to 22, 2024. The session is under the theme: ” Supporting Digital Transformation in West Africa: Strengthening Connectivity, Security and Access. “
Télécommunications: Ouverture à Conakry de la réunion des groupes de travail des experts de l’ARTAO
Les travaux de la 3ème session des groupes de travail des experts de l’Association des régulateurs des télécommunications de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ARTAO), ont été lancés ce mardi 19 novembre 2024, au siège de l’Autorité de régulation des postes et télécommunication (ARPT), à Conakry.
Starlink suspends new orders across Nigeria until NCC’s price review
Elon Musk’s Starlink says it has suspended orders for its residential kits across Nigeria with a note that the suspension will be lifted after securing approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its recently announced price increment.
NCC To Limit Telecom Operators to Seven Tariff Plans
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced an initiative to limit telecom operators to a maximum of seven tariff plans each, aiming to improve transparency and reduce the vast array of tariff options and promotional elements that make it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions.
WATRA Updates: Governments & Regulatory Authorities
Regulatory Policy Developments
July 4, 2024
Regulatory Policy Developments
May 17, 2024
Regulatory Policy Developments
May 8, 2024
ABOUT WATRA
WATRA was established in 2002 as a result of the need for a common platform for the telecommunications and ICT regulators in the West African region to exchange information, share best practices, and coordinate their actions.
WATRA operates under the legal framework of the ECOWAS Treaty, the Supplementary Act on Telecommunications and ICT, the Protocol on the Establishment of WATRA, and the Constitution and Rules of Procedure of WATRA.
WATRA MEMBERS
