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Somalia, 17 September 2025 – The National Communications Authority (NCA) today hosted a national consultation meeting on the implementation of the One Network Area (ONA), a regional initiative aimed at reducing mobile roaming charges and enhancing digital integration within the East African Community (EAC).
The consultation brought together licensed telecom operators to review Somalia’s roadmap for joining the ONA and to discuss technical and regulatory preparations.
Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director General of NCA, emphasized the importance of the initiative:
“Adopting the One Network Area is a significant step towards reducing roaming costs, enhancing connectivity, and driving Somalia’s digital transformation.”
“It will strengthen our integration within the East African Community and foster economic growth through seamless cross-border communication,” he said.
During the meeting, the NCA presented a national roadmap for Somalia’s ONA adoption, outlining a phased implementation process, aligning national laws and tariffs with regional standards, and preparing the necessary regulations to ensure inclusive integration.
The ONA initiative was first conceptualized in 2014, with Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda piloting the framework. It later expanded to South Sudan, Tanzania, and Burundi.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia have not yet joined, making the country's preparations extremely significant.
According to the East African Community, joining ONA will allow citizens and businesses to make cheaper calls, send affordable messages, and use mobile data across the region, supporting trade, communication, and regional integration.
Benefits include lower costs for cross-border communication, enhanced trade and investment opportunities, and simplified telecom usage for travelers and businesses.
The consultation also served as a platform for dialogue between the NCA and telecom operators, focusing on achieving affordable and transparent cross-border communication services.
Somalia is expected to finalize its adoption of the ONA by 2026, lowering roaming charges and strengthening regional cooperation in both digital and economic sectors.