07 April 2025
Anthony Omoshie, IT Specialist & Facilities Management Support Consultant at West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA | ARTAO), shared some insights on regional telecommunications regulation following the IPRIS Africa round in Namibia. He highlighted the significance of fostering a better telecommunications ecosystem and regional cooperation among member states.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
iPRIS: Please introduce yourself and what you do at WATRA.
Anthony Omoshie: I am Anthony Omoshie, the IT specialist and Facilities Management Consultant at WATRA Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. I handle the technical and utilities issues related to the Secretariat in Abuja. That is my core function, and I assist in every other department to the best of my abilities.
iPRIS: From WATRA’s standpoint, what were the most important results or discussions from the IPRIS Africa round in Namibia? Do these align with WATRA's objectives for regional regulatory cooperation?
Anthony Omoshie: There were a few key takeaways from Namibia, 2024C round, where WATRA members NCA Ghana, and LTA Liberia were present. It is clear from the discussions held that there is a drive towards ensuring a better ecosystem for telecommunications within their respective jurisdictions. The planned activities align with their change initiatives based on the activities and discussions carried out. There will be benefits for the citizens of West Africa as continuous efforts from each member state will affect the sub-region's economy.
As a regional organisation, we have a lot of emphasis on the importance of the iPRIS program. And we're immensely grateful to SPIDER for their support and the EU for funding the project through SIDA.
It was also interesting to see the issues arising from the various markets and how they can be politically addressed, based on past experiences with other members who participated in the same and previous programs before IPRIS was launched. I'm also happy to support and contribute in any way I can to ensure that each of the NRAS achieves what they are set out to achieve regarding their change initiatives.
iPRIS: Regulatory fragmentation is among the primary issues facing regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa. What activities does WATRA undertake to combat these issues and ensure regulatory harmonisation among its members?
Anthony Omoshie: Regulatory fragmentation is challenging, especially when diverse issues contribute to the same problem. We have different markets, structures, and growth levels among WATRA members. There’s also diversity in language.
One of WATRA's objectives as a regional entity is to tackle this issue innovatively. All the countries have their own priorities and national interests. The IPRIS program was designed to address the challenges we faced in getting members to participate, since the language barrier proved to be a problem. The initial SPIDER program, ITP, was all English, but IPRIS has three language categories: English, French, and Portuguese.
The best way for WATRA to tackle the problem of regulatory fragmentation was to foster collaboration amongst our members. So the innovative approach we came up with, in addition to the other previous steps, was the recent establishment of our working groups following our strategic plan 2022-2025, which was ratified in December of 2022. Working groups were established to tackle the critical issues and challenges within the sector.
The best way to ensure that regulatory frameworks are harmonised is by providing a platform where all members can actively share their concerns and views on various sector subjects and discuss how best to solve such problems.
In 2024, after our 21st AGM in Freetown, One of the challenges that came up was the issue of non-resistance, orbit services at Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO), which came up as a general issue that cut across the board for all members, how to approach the providers of such services, and how to ensure that it doesn't hurt their economy. It stemmed from a general concern, and because of that, an ad hoc working group was established. It was mandated that solutions be provided for all members to leverage an approach to this issue within the sub-region.
The group delivered our best WATRA NGSO framework on our website. It has guided all members to engage with NGSO service providers and operators and how they can look to the best of their abilities. It has also allowed them to localise within their jurisdictions, allowing them to engage such players in the industry effectively. The best way to address this issue of regulatory fragmentation is to promote collaboration, and we are promoting that collaboration through our working groups.
iPRIS: Are there any cross-border challenges WATRA faces in pursuing spectrum allocation and coordinating inter-country cooperation?
Anthony Omoshie: At a regional level, there haven't been such challenges regarding spectrum allocation. However, some of these challenges may exist at the national level and have already been addressed.
When it comes to spectrum allocation and spectrum planning, it is advised, especially within the ITU framework, that frequency sharing and cross-border coordination between neighbouring countries should be coordinated to ensure that each respective jurisdiction is respected.
We can reference NCA Ghana's current change initiative, consumer education awareness on preventing automatic problems. One of their findings revealed an issue with the profile zone that operators in neighbouring countries are not respecting.
They now have a team with the NCA responsible for this, and the same applies to their neighbours, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso. However, that has not been discussed at the regional level. If that doesn't work out, the next line of action will be to bring it up on a platform like the WATRA AGM, which is coming up in the next few days. Other than that, cross-border engagement between people is good.
iPRIS: Telecom regulation faces shifts due to AI and new technologies. How does Watra support member countries to ensure they are ready for such technological shifts?
Anthony Omoshie: We know the impact that AI and other emerging technologies bring to the sector, and how all regulators in West Africa are affected.
I will borrow Hans's words from our session on strategic foresight in Namibia. You need to have a good level of strategic foresight to be ahead of the market and its advancements. One of WATRA's mandates is to provide capacity-building workshops and programs for our members to stay up-to-date with market trends and the sector as a whole.
From our 21st AGM in Freetown last year, the first day featured a workshop on AI and big data analytics, as well as how regulatory tools need to be updated to meet the standards that AI and other investment technologies bring. WATRA’s role is to provide a capacity-building program for our members in key areas of concern within the sector. There is no doubt that AI is a trending area of concern, and the plan is to continue organising such capacity-building workshops for our members to ensure they stay up to date.
To reiterate, we provide a platform where members can come together at the regional level and build their capacity on subjects and trending matters related to the telecommunications sector in West Africa.
iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).
iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).
In a significant step towards regional integration, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strip off roaming charges between these countries. The MoU allows citizens to use mobile services at local rates while travelling to encourage economic collaboration and enhance connectivity.
The MoU is in line with the broader ECOWAS intent to lower high roaming costs across West Africa. Starting from 2 May 2025, Liberian citizens travelling to Sierra Leone will be able to receive calls on their phones without charges- on the local service for use, similar to what happens inside the country. The same contract will apply to The Gambia on July 1, 2025. Abdullah Kamara, Acting Chairperson of Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), hails it as a game-changer for regional connectivity and plans to include further similar arrangements to Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Benin by the end of the year.
iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).
iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).
On 27th and 28th March, CRASA was hosted by LCA in Maseru, Lesotho, to hold its 14th AGM. The AGM is the primary decision-making body of CRASA. The AGM convenes once a year to gather and approve reports from the specialised committees, the association's annual budget, the CRASA annual report, audited accounts, and annual operational plans. It also serves as a stage where the members can convene to discuss and share experiences in the sector through centered reports, presentations, and discussions on fields and trends that are relevant to them. Consequently, the AGM fosters collaboration among telecom regulators and stakeholders in the region.
ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin making an opening speech
The 14th CRASA AGM brought together industry peers to discuss emerging issues in the fast-changing digital tool regulatory sector in the southern Sub-Saharan Africa region. Regulation is a key issue when digital tools are in play, and CRASA, through such meetings, underscores the value of evaluating the sector to adapt to the evolving industry. CRASA remains a primary player in determining the shape of ICT governance in the southern region of Sub-Sahara Africa.
Lesotho’s Minister for ICT and Innovation Nthati Moorsoi welcoming the participants to the AGM
The CEO ESCCOM Eswatini Mvilawemphi Dlamini, who is also the chairperson of CRASA making his remarks at the AGM
We are excited to welcome the fifth iPRIS cohort, 2025B! From May 4 to 21, regulatory experts from Eswatini, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia will dive into an intensive 2.5-week training, connecting, learning, and growing together for a stronger telecom future in Africa.
The 2025B group will be the fourth English-speaking cohort to participate in the iPRIS project after the third English-speaking group (2024C) participated in their first peer-to-peer learning session in Sweden in November 2024. The 2024C cohort also recently participated in an additional knowledge-sharing experience in Namibia in March 2025. An additional iPRIS cohort, such as the first French-speaking 2024B group, also participated in a similar exercise, meeting in Senegal in February. The first iPRIS cohort 2023A, comprising regulators from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Eswatini, South Sudan, Zambia, and Sierra Leone, completed their iPRIS cycle in December 2024.
The 2025B cohort will meet for one week after four months in one of the African countries represented in their group for the Africa phase. This week-long meeting will provide a platform for participants to review the progress of their change initiatives, share results, and engage in discussions to enhance their change initiatives further. One year after the round begins (May 2026), the efficacy and progress of the change initiatives implemented by the participating NRAs will be evaluated in partnership with the participating African and European telecom experts.
iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).
iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).
From March 17-20, iPRIS was in Swakopmund, Namibia, hosted by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) where our fourth iPRIS cohort, comprising of ICT experts representing National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) from Namibia, Kenya, South Sudan, Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, took part In the Africa Regional peer to peer knowledge building session. They were also joined by Mr. Anthony Omoshie from the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA | ARTAO) and Mr. Alexis Sinarinzi from the East African Communications Organization (EACO).
Ms Jeanine Du Toit (CRAN Board Member) welcomed the participants to the culturally rich coastal town on the first day of the sessions. Ms Jeanine had valuable insights to offer as she acknowledged the relevance of the iPRIS project.
She noted that “the iPRIS project was conceived as a response to the growing complexities and challenges within the ICT sector, an acknowledgment that the future of our digital economy depends on robust regulatory frameworks, effective policies, and the skilled personnel who will implement them.”
Additionally, the NRAs presented their progress and results regarding the change initiative. Change initiatives are the cornerstone of iPRIS and are specifically designed to align with the strategic agendas of the participating national telecom regulators. They are strategic projects chosen and undertaken by the national regulators to contribute to bridging the digital divide.
The week-long programme provided comprehensive sessions to enhance skills and knowledge across various ICT regulatory topics. Participants engaged in workshops on strategic foresight led by Lars Gustafsson, iPRIS Coordinator at Swedish National Telecom and Post Agency (PTS). Mr. Anthony Omoshie from the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) and Mr. Alexis Sinarinzi from the East African Communications Organization (EACO) offered insights on regional harmonisation aimed at advancing economic and social development in the region.
Kerstin Borglin and Katja Sarajeva from SPIDER led an interactive project management essentials and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) frameworks session engaging participants in hands-on learning to boost program effectiveness and sharpen impact assessment skills. Jens Ingman (Swedish Post and Telecom Authority) also delivered an insightful session on Broadband Mapping, shedding light on critical strategies for improving connectivity. Hans Hedin, also from Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, facilitated a session on strategic foresight and intelligence. Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson (Director, SPIDER) facilitated a session on diversity and inclusion strategies, equipping participants with tools to foster inclusive and equitable environments within their telecom organisations. Ericsson representatives also provided valuable insights on 5 G.
Along the sidelines of the training, the telecom regulators enjoyed a cultural visit with an excursion to the Moonlandscape, experiencing the radiant heart of Namibia.
Katarina Schyberg, iPRIS Project Lead with CRAN representatives in Swakopmund
Ms Jeanine Du Toit (CRAN Board Member) welcomes the participants to Swakopmund
Participants engaging in discussions during the knowledge-sharing sessions
iPRIS is coordinated and implemented by SPIDER in strategic and technical partnership with the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) and the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR).
iPRIS is funded by the European Union, Sweden, and Luxembourg as part of the Team Europe Initiative “D4D for Digital Economy and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Code: 001).
In this newsletter, you will find updates on the iPRIS project's progress towards boosting the capacities of African telecom regulators, highlights from recent peer-to-peer knowledge sharing sessions and news from the telecommunications landscape. We also share exciting news about upcoming events, including the convening of our fourth iPRIS cohort this November.
Here is the latest update from Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson, the Director of SPIDER. SPIDER coordinates the implementation of the iPRIS project in technical partnership with PTS and ILR. The project is funded by the EU, Sweden and Luxembourg.
Dear Colleagues,
November marks a significant milestone for the iPRIS project as we celebrate one year since the launch of our first capacity-building session in November 2023. In just 12 months, iPRIS has hosted three cohorts, engaging telecom regulators across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Today, we are proud to collaborate with 21 African telecom authorities to drive meaningful social and economic transformation across the continent.
Currently, around 70 telecom experts from across Africa are taking part in the iPRIS peer-to-peer capacity-building cycle, playing a crucial role in expanding ICT access, fostering innovation, and unlocking development potential in their countries. Between 2023 and 2028, iPRIS aims to boost the capacities of telecom regulators in 43 African countries by creating opportunities for partnerships and tools that break down language barriers and stimulate European and African cooperation within and between continents.
This past September, the iPRIS project held its first-ever iPRIS cycle for a cohort from Francophone Africa. The capacity building covered various topics, including consumer protection, spectrum management, regulatory frameworks, digital inclusion, and spectrum management. Participants also experienced Luxembourg’s cultural sites, including the Lëtzebuerg City Museum and the European Union Court of Justice.
In October, the Africa Regional Follow-Up phase in Dar es Salaam provided a platform for regulators from the second iPRIS cohort to showcase progress on their change initiatives, with sessions on project management, MEAL, cybersecurity, and legacy technology transitions enriched by insights from Ericsson Tanzania.
Looking ahead, from November 10–27th, we are excited to host our fourth iPRIS Cohort in Sweden for intensive 2.5-week peer-to-peer capacity building. Concurrently, the Africa Tech Festival will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 11–14. Be sure to visit stand I68, where the D4D Hub will showcase its private sector advisory group.
In December, we will join the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, focusing on policy, outreach, and capacity-building initiatives to maximise digital opportunities and address emerging digital risks. Please be sure to visit our booth if you are in attendance!
Thank you for being part of this journey with iPRIS as we work to shape Africa’s digital future.
With kind regards,
Dr. Caroline Wamala Larsson
Director, SPIDER
The first-ever iPRIS peer-to-peer capacity building session for a French-speaking cohort was held in Luxembourg from September 8th to September 25th, 2024. Read More
The Africa Regional peer-to-peer capacity-building and knowledge-sharing session for the second iPRIS English cohort was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 7-10 October 2024. The convening reviewed the progress of the change initiatives. It included telecom experts from ICASA South Africa, ICTA Mauritius, LCA Lesotho, PURA The Gambia, TCRA Tanzania, UCC Uganda, PTS, EACO, WATRA, CRASA, as well as SPIDER, and the EU Delegation to Tanzania and Ericsson. Read More
We are excited to welcome the fourth iPRIS cohort, 2024C! From November 10–27, regulatory experts from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Liberia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe will dive into an intensive 2.5-week capacity-building, connecting, learning, and growing together for a stronger telecom future in Africa. Read More
At this year’s UN General Assembly, leaders came together to endorse the Pact for the Future, a forward-thinking agreement launched at the United Nations Summit of the Future. Signed on September 22, 2024, the pact lays out a clear path for rolling out advanced telecom systems and bridging digital divides across the globe. Read More
The ICT sector in Zambia continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for economic and social transformation. As highlighted in the 2024 Mid-Year Market Report, significant advancements in telecommunications have driven widespread digital access. Read More
The 22nd Annual Meeting of the French-speaking network for telecommunications regulation (Fratel) will take place in Libreville, Gabon, from November 26 to 27, 2024. Hosted by Gabon's Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation Authority (ARCEP), this year’s gathering will focus on the theme: “Future Business Models and Strategies for Telecom Operators.”Fratel, the French-speaking telecommunications regulation network created in 2003, aims to contribute to training and collaboration between its members.
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