Mogadishu, Somalia – The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia convened a high-level meeting with the country’s leading telecom operators this week to accelerate preparations for the rollout of the One Network Area (ONA), a landmark regional initiative aimed at lowering cross-border mobile costs and enhancing digital integration across East Africa.
In its press release, the NCA underlined that Somalia’s entry into the scheme will significantly reduce roaming charges for citizens traveling within the region, while ensuring seamless connectivity for businesses and individuals alike. Officials stressed that cheaper and more reliable cross-border communication is expected to boost trade, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries.
The ONA, first pioneered by the East African Community (EAC), has already shown success in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, where subscribers enjoy reduced tariffs for calls across borders. Somalia’s inclusion is seen as both a critical economic step and a political signal of its deeper integration into regional frameworks.
Industry players at the meeting welcomed the move but also raised key issues, including the need for technical harmonization, fair cost-sharing mechanisms among operators, and robust consumer protection measures. The NCA pledged to work closely with telecom firms to address these concerns ahead of implementation.
“The One Network Area will not only ease communication for our citizens but will also unlock new opportunities for businesses and investors by making Somalia more connected to the East African digital economy,” the regulator said in its statement.
Analysts note that the move could particularly benefit Somalia’s diaspora and cross-border traders, who have long faced steep charges when staying connected across national borders. With the initiative gaining momentum, the government hopes it will also serve as a springboard for broader ICT-led growth in the country.