The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly has unveiled plans to foster infrastructure sharing among West African nations, aiming to significantly reduce internet costs for telecom consumers across the region.
During a virtual stakeholders’ meeting over the weekend, Mr. Aliyu Aboki, Executive Secretary of WATRA, revealed the organization’s initiatives to enhance digital connectivity by facilitating the sharing of critical infrastructure such as gateways and data centers among member countries.
Acknowledging the persistently high cost of internet services in West Africa, Aboki emphasized that lowering these costs would bolster the digital economies of respective countries and increase data consumption, thereby boosting revenue for telecom operators.
“We are exploring regional initiatives to share infrastructure and lower costs. For example, facilities like gateways and data center servers can be shared across borders, eliminating the need for redundant infrastructure investments,” stated Aboki.
Interconnectivity was highlighted as another crucial factor in the region’s telecom landscape. Aboki noted that currently, data transmission between African countries often routes through Europe due to inadequate direct connections among regional data centers, resulting in added expenses for users.
“To interconnect data centers within the region, we currently rely on submarine cables to Europe and back, which escalates costs unnecessarily. Establishing direct regional connections will undoubtedly drive down these costs,” Aboki explained.
Beyond infrastructure sharing, WATRA is collaborating with national regulators to enhance universal service policies, particularly to expand internet access in rural areas across West Africa.
Aboki underscored the transformative impact of internet connectivity on the regional economy, highlighting its role in fostering the rapid growth of West Africa’s digital economy. He revealed that the digital sector currently contributes approximately $30 billion annually to the region’s GDP, underscoring its growing significance.
According to Aboki, the West African telecommunications market has now reached a valuation of $63.17 billion, with over 400 million mobile subscribers, reflecting the sector’s substantial growth and potential.
Established in 2002, WATRA serves as a pivotal platform for telecommunications and ICT regulators across West Africa to exchange information, harmonize regulatory frameworks, and coordinate policies.
The organization is crucial in promoting consistency and compatibility in the region’s telecommunications sector through the West African Common Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications and ICT.
As WATRA continues to drive initiatives aimed at reducing internet costs and enhancing connectivity, stakeholders anticipate significant strides towards a more inclusive and digitally empowered West Africa.
