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
NITRA, ALTON to Discuss Implementation of CNII Bill
As the telecoms industry grapples with the challenge of how to secure its infrastructure and ensure that investments in the telecoms space are protected, following the recent Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) status granted it by the federal government, the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) has called for an all-stakeholder approach.
Vodacom clears key hurdle in Maziv fibre stake deal
Vodacom Group has received the green light from South Africa’s competition watchdog to acquire a stake in fibre infrastructure provider Maziv, a move that supports the operator’s ambition to expand connectivity in underserved areas.
FibreOne vs Spectranet: How ‘Unlimited’ Is Unlimited?
Let’s take a look at some companies in charge of this space; FibreOne and Spectranet, two giants of Nigeria’s ISP sector with radically different philosophies. One is building a fixed fibre network from the ground up, the other is surfing the LTE airwaves with mobile routers and data caps.
MTN, Huawei launch first 800G optical network in Nigeria
MTN Nigeria, working together with Huawei, launched the country’s first hybrid 400G-800G Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON). This collaboration represents a watershed moment in the architecture of Nigeria’s digital backbone, enabling remarkable transmission speeds and resilience in the face of growing data demand.
NCC Opens Licensing for International A2P Messaging Aggregator Services in Nigeria
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially launched a new licensing framework for International Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Aggregator Services, aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, service security, and quality in the delivery of international A2P messaging traffic into Nigeria.
Telecom analyst advocates unified RoW charges
The Federal Government has been urged to harmonise right-of-way charges across the country and incentivise local production of telecom equipment to drive broadband expansion and prepare Nigeria for the digital decade.
Starlink, FiberOne, others lose over 18,000 customers in 6 months
More than 18,000 people in Nigeria ditched their Internet service providers (ISPs) in the past six months, as rising prices and service concerns triggered widespread cancellations.
NCC introduces ₦10M licence for bulk SMS senders
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rolled out a new rulebook for the booming Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging industry. In simple terms, if your business sends bulk SMS alerts like bank notifications or promo messages, you’ll now need a licence, and it’ll cost you ₦10 million for five years.
ITU tasks countries on $1.6tr digital infrastructure investments
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has emphasised the importance of investment in digital infrastructure to support national development. Deputy Secretary-General, ITU, Tomas Lamanauskas, in an article, stated that digital technologies have changed the way the world works – affecting everyone, everywhere.
MTN and Huawei Bring High-Speed 800G Network to Nigeria
In a leap forward for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, MTN Nigeria—working in partnership with Huawei—has launched the nation’s first hybrid 400G–800G Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON).
ATCON to hold meeting on executive order protecting telecom infrastructure
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced that it will convene the second edition of its strategic stakeholders’ meeting on August 15 in Abuja, as part of efforts to drive the successful implementation of the recently signed Executive Order designating telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
NCC, connectivity and consumer sensitisation to protect telecoms infrastructure
As part of its continued consumer education and sensitisation campaign for protection of the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has asserted that telecoms infrastructure is a lifeline for effective and sustainable economy in the modern world.
Niger Signs MoUs for National e-ID and Biometric Passport Infrastructure
In a move to modernize its national identification infrastructure, the Government of Niger has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Libyan technology company Al Itissan Al-Jadeed.
Starlink Fully Resumes New Activations in Nigeria, Expands Access to Major Cities
Starlink, the satellite internet service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially resumed new customer activations in Nigeria after more than seven months of suspension. The company had halted new residential kit orders in November 2024, with prospective users receiving a notice that activations were temporarily on hold pending regulatory clearance from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Ghana: 5G Launch Stalls Amid Regulatory Delays And Industry Hurdles
Last year, in November, Ghana held a grand ceremony at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel to mark the launch of its first shared 4G/5G network under the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC). Despite the fanfare, the service was not operational — and remains offline six months later.
Ghana’s Minister of Communication Pushes for Stronger Tech Ties with China
Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has made a compelling call for strengthened technology partnerships between Ghana and China, outlining key areas of collaboration during the Ghana–China Business Summit held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Friday, June 27, 2025.
Open banking: CBN cautions Nigerian banks, fintechs on cybersecurity risks
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned Nigerian banks and fintechs to be wary of cybersecurity risks as they move into open banking. The Director of Payments System Policy at the CBN, Mr. Musa Jimoh, gave this charge while speaking during the Q2 Regulators Forum of the FintechNGR themed, “Beyond Compliance: Unlocking Innovation with Nigeria’s Open Banking Framework”.
Starlink resumes Nigerian activations after regulatory pause
Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has resumed new customer activations in Nigeria, following an expansion of its network capacity and a regulatory pause that halted residential orders late last year.
Ghana’s Innovation Hubs Bounce Back with Global Backing and Local Drive
From Accra to outlying areas, Ghana’s innovation hubs are showing what’s possible when local knowledge meets international support. This is how they’re scaling solutions, building networks, and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Digital Realty’s new Ghana data centre to host LINX Accra IXP
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) announced on Wednesday it is expanding its partnership with Digital Realty into west Africa via a deal to establish its planned internet exchange point (IXP) for Ghana in Digital Realty’s upcoming data centre in Accra.
WATRA Updates: Governments & Regulatory Authorities
Regulatory Policy Developments
April 11, 2025
Regulatory Policy Developments
February 27, 2025
Regulatory Policy Developments
January 31, 2025
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
