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
CSCS Calls for Integration of AI into Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Framework
The Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) has called for the urgent integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework to address the rising threat of cybercrime.
How African universities can protect data from cyber attacks
When thinking about industries that cybercriminals might target, tertiary education probably isn’t the first to come to mind. But according to the latest edition of Microsoft’s Cyber Signals report, education was the third most targeted industry in the second quarter of this year.
MTN Nigeria shifts to paper-based SIMS in push for sustainability
MTN Nigeria, at the weekend in Lagos, introduced paper-based eco-friendly SIM cards that are bio-degradable, which will replace the existing plastic SIM cards that are not bio-degradable.
LTA Conducts Regulatory Measures to Prevent Market Failure and Mitigate Anti-Competitive Behavior
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), in partnership with Salience Consulting, with support from the World Bank, over the weekend conducted a day-long workshop intended to present stakeholders’ information and validate the initial findings of a telecommunications market study.
Nigeria's NATCOMS calls for a 10% tariffs increase for telcos
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to approve a 10% tariff increase for telecom providers.
Nigeria introduces bill to strengthen taxation on telecoms
The government of Nigeria has revealed plans to bolster its tax base with the inclusion of a new tax bill directed at telecommunications companies. Telecoms in the West African country would be subjected to a 5% tax should the bill be passed.
CSCS advocates robust cybersecurity measures to checkmate cybercrime
The Chief Executive Officer,Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Haruna Jalo-Waziri has called for development of robust Cybersecurity measures to check the incidence of cybercrime in the financial system.
Nigerian cybersecurity team finishes 3rd in ECOWAS Hackathon
After 30 hours of intense competition, the Nigerian Cybersecurity team, Error, finished in third position in the 3rd ECOWAS Hackathon hosted in Abuja by the ECOWAS Commission.
NITDA, ECOWAS partner to promote cybersecurity talent in West Africa
In regard to continued efforts at securing the region’s cyberspace, Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have collaborated to empower West African youths with the requisite skills and knowledge.
Subscribers kick against FG's planned 5% excise duty on telecoms
Telecommunications subscribers have kicked against the Federal Government’s proposed five per cent excise duty on telecoms services.
Nigeria Seals Deal With Ericsson To Advance 5G Tech Development
Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday led other Nigerian officials to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Sweden between Nigeria and telecom giant, Ericsson, on a 5G Innovation Lab.
Telecom Expert Advocates Lower RoW Charges for Seamless CNII Implementation
Lifenet’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abraham Oluwambe, has urged that reduced right of way charges for telecommunications operators be included in the implementation of the recently passed Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order.
FG plans 5% tax on telecoms services, others
The federal government has proposed a five per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, gaming, and betting activities as part of a new bill to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework.
IHS, ALTON, NCC propose strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure from cyber threats
Telecommunications infrastructure company IHS Towers, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have proposed strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure from cyber threats, theft, and vandalism, which are crucial for the country’s economic growth.
Impact of Value-added Services on Nigerian Telecoms Sector
From 2002 to 2020, Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications industry experienced exponential growth, becoming one of the largest telecom markets in Africa. A significant aspect of this development was the rise of Value-Added Services (VAS), which played a vital role in driving both subscriber engagement and revenue generation.
MTN Launches Flagship 5G Experience Centre in Abuja
MTN Nigeria, leading telecommunications provider has officially launched the first 5G Experience Centre in Abuja, on Wednesday, 16th October, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s commitment towards advancing connectivity in Nigeria.
Intelsat unveils satellite cellular backhaul platform in Nigeria
Intelsat, an operator of integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has unveiled a new satellite cellular backhaul service platform located at the Open Access Data Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, citing this as a significant milestone in its efforts to improve Nigeria’s and Africa’s connectivity infrastructures.
Faster, cheaper internet: What the 2Africa cable promises to Ivory Coast
Côte d’Ivoire has taken a major step in its digital development by connecting to the 2Africa submarine cable, one of the most ambitious fiber optic infrastructures in the world.
SpaceX seeks approval to make Starlink 10x faster
Starlink’s SpaceX has applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for changes to Starlink, enabling gigabit-per-second broadband service. It reportedly promised gigabit speeds in 2016 and now plans to increase them from 100Mbps to 1Gbps.
Togocom: Axian takes full control and accelerates its transforma
The pan-African group Axian has consolidated its position in the Togolese telecommunications market by becoming the sole shareholder of Agou Holding, the main shareholder of Togocom.
WATRA Updates: Governments & Regulatory Authorities
Regulatory Policy Developments
May 8, 2024
Regulatory Policy Developments
May 7, 2024
Regulatory Policy Developments
March 25, 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
BILATERAL MOU MATRIX | MATRICE DU PROTOCOLES D'ACCORD BILATERAUX
22 out of 210 |
Benin (ARCEP)  |
Burkina Faso (ARCEP)  |
Cabo Verde (ARME)  |
Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI)  |
The Gambia (PURA)  |
Ghana (NCA)  |
Guinea (ARPT)  |
Guinea Bissau (ARN)  |
Liberia (LTA)  |
Mali (AMRTP)  |
Niger (ARCEP)  |
Nigeria (NCC)  |
Senegal (ARTP)  |
Sierra Leone (NatCA)  |
Togo (ARCEP)  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Benin (ARCEP) |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
Burkina Faso (ARCEP) |
N |
N/A |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Cabo Verde (ARME) |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) |
N |
Y |
N |
N/A |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
|
The Gambia (PURA) |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Ghana (NCA) |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
Guinea (ARPT) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Guinea Bissau (ARN) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Liberia (LTA) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Mali (AMRTP) |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
|
Niger (ARCEP) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
N |
|
Nigeria (NCC) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
N |
|
Senegal (ARTP) |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
N |
|
Sierra Leone (NatCA) |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
N |
|
Togo (ARCEP) |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N/A |
