During the 19th edition of Burkina Faso’s Digital Week event that brought together technology-sector leaders and government officials during 12-15 November, Alliance of Sahel States (AES) ministers announced plans to end cell phone roaming charges across the three member states—Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—which successfully ousted Western-aligned leaders before forming the AES confederation.
The ministers urged telecom operators to implement free roaming by 31 December and encouraged them to promote user awareness. Additionally, a Nigerien minister highlighted the need for a fibre-optic network to improve connectivity and Internet access across the region.
This initiative marks a significant step toward the AES’s goals of unity and economic integration, facilitating mobility and business operations between member states. The move also supports regional cooperation, with potential long-term benefits like enhanced digital infrastructure and harmonised standards, ultimately strengthening regional and continental integration efforts.
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