Sierra Leone and Guinea Sign Landmark Roaming-Free Agreement

Sierra Leone and Guinea have signed a landmark agreement to end mobile roaming charges between the two countries, a move expected to make cross-border communication easier and more affordable for millions.

The deal was signed on November 10, 2025, during the Transform Africa 2025 Summit, held alongside the 15th Session of the African Council of Regulators (CAR-15). Delegations from both countries described the agreement as a major step toward seamless regional connectivity and a reflection of their commitment to closer cooperation.

Under the memorandum of understanding, citizens of both countries will be able to call, text, and use mobile data across Guinea and Sierra Leone without paying extra roaming fees. The agreement will also bring telecom operators from both sides together to harmonize interconnection rates and improve network quality along shared borders.

The initiative is backed by the Smart Africa Alliance and supports the continent’s broader goal of building a Digital Single Market. It follows a growing trend in West Africa, where countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Liberia have recently signed similar roaming-free agreements to facilitate communication and strengthen economic ties.

For Guinea and Sierra Leone, the pact builds on earlier progress. In November 2024, the two countries signed an agreement to interconnect their national internet backbones, improving infrastructure and digital cooperation. The latest deal deepens that partnership and responds to rising demand for affordable connectivity, especially among cross-border traders, workers, and frequent travelers.

Before the roaming-free arrangement takes effect, operators will finalize technical arrangements covering interconnection management, cost-sharing, and service standards. Once implemented, the zone is expected to reduce communication costs, support digital transactions, and boost regional trade.

The signing at CAR-15 marks another milestone in Africa’s drive toward easier, more reliable cross-border communication and a unified digital space.