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
NIMC Migrates Telcos to NINAUTH Platform
According to Dr Kayode Adegoke, head, corporate communications, NIMC, the migration marked a significant step forward in enhancing the security, efficiency, and user experience of NIN verification services.
FG Moves To Crackdown On Telecoms Infrastructure Vandals
Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has decried the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, assuring of the federal government’s crackdown on perpetrators.
NCC boss Maida seeks result-oriented reforms in telecom sector
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has said his leadership is pushing for critical reforms and shifting national priorities in the telecoms sector.
Ghana’s Ministry of Digital Technology Inaugurates Tender Committee for Tech Procurement
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation has officially inaugurated a 10-member Entity Tender Committee. This committee’s primary role is to oversee all procurement activities
within the Ministry and ensure strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended.
WATRA advocates unified digital market for ECOWAS
West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has stressed the importance of a unified digital market across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. WATRA said this would unlock investment, drive innovation, and create inclusive digital opportunities for over 400 million Africans occupying the space.
WATRA pushes for unified digital market to unlock West Africa’s economy
West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), has reaffirmed commitment to promoting a harmonised digital policy and regulatory environment across West Africa stating that consistent, coordinated regulation is key to unlocking investment, and growth in the region’s digital economy.
West Africa could unlock billions of dollars in investments with harmonized digital market—WATRA
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has said that creating a unified digital market across ECOWAS could unlock billions of dollars in investments for the region.
WATRA: Aliyu Aboki Champions Regulatory Harmonisation to Unlock W/Africa’s Digital Economy
Executive Secretary of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), Mr. Aliyu Yusuf Aboki, has reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to -promoting a harmonised digital policy and regulatory environment across West Africa, stating that consistent, coordinated regulation is key to unlocking investment, innovation, and growth in the region’s digital economy.
WATRA seeks unified digital market for 400m West Africans
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) is seeking a unified digital market across the ECOWAS region, aiming to unlock investment, drive innovation, and create inclusive digital opportunities for over 400 million Africans living in the region.
MTN Mulls AI Tech to Protect Infrastructure as Cable Cuts Hit 13,000 in 18 Months
MTN Nigeria has said that there are plans to deploy an artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor and protect its fibre optic cables across the country.
Stakeholders to deliberate on critical national information infrastructure
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced the second edition of its Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place on August 15, in Abuja. The meeting will be held under the theme, ‘Rallying Critical Stakeholders to Drive the Successful Execution of the Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure’.
Attorney-General vows crackdown on telecom infrastructure saboteurs
The attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has vowed a tough crackdown on individuals and groups sabotaging Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure, describing such acts as economic sabotage that threaten the country’s digital and economic aspirations.
EllaLink picks Alcatel to build new submarine cable link to Mauritania
Mauritania is partnering with EllaLink to establish a second international link via a new submarine cable directly connecting the country to Madrid, Spain. The operator said Alcatel Submarine Networks has been selected to construct the over 500km subsea section, featuring advanced ROADM WSS branching unit technology and two fibre pairs.
Airtel Africa’s profit climbs 5x as mobile money and data usage explode
Airtel Africa has posted a remarkable 370% year-on-year profit jump for the quarter ended June 2025, buoyed by surging data consumption and the expanding footprint of its mobile-money service across the continent.
Cybersecurity Experts Seek Improvements to Maximise Protection
A study titled “Improving resilience: cybersecurity through system immunity” conducted by Kaspersky, explored how organisations currently manage cybersecurity and how they are preparing for future challenges.
Telcos: How and Why Network Services have Been Poor
Telecommunications operators (telcos) in Nigeria have explained that the recent poor quality of network services experienced across the country is largely due to the widespread vandalism and theft of critical telecom infrastructure, not a failure on their part.
Mobile Money powers Liberia’s gambling revolution
Services like Orange Money are turning phones into instant payment hubs, making digital betting fast and accessible in Liberia. Liberia.- Mobile money is shaking up Liberia’s gambling world, making it easier for players to place bets and handle payments.
Nigeria: NCC presents new regulatory framework to manage telecoms infrastructure
Nigeria aims to achieve 80% internet coverage by 2027. Authorities are making strategic decisions to achieve their goal. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a plan to strengthen governance and regulation of telecom equipment deployment.
Telcos Resume SIM Card Sales after 2-Week Halt
Telecommunications operators have resumed full SIM swap and related services following a four-week nationwide outage linked to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)’s migration to a new verification platform.
Nigeria: MTN Calls For Recognition Of Telecom Infrastructure As National Assets
Ikenna Ikeme, the General Manager of Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria, has emphasised the need for citizens and officials to regard telecommunications infrastructure as essential national assets, rather than merely as the property of telecom companies.
WATRA Updates: Governments & Regulatory Authorities
Regulatory Policy Developments
July 22, 2025
Regulatory Policy Developments
April 11, 2025
Regulatory Policy Developments
February 27, 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
