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Paynesville, Liberia – The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has officially announced the suspension of surcharges on international calls between Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as The Gambia, in line with the implementation of ECOWAS Regulation C/REG 21/12/17 on free roaming.
This decision follows the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the LTA, the National Communications Authority (NATCA) of Sierra Leone, and the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) of The Gambia. The move is part of efforts to promote seamless regional communication and ease financial burdens on telecom users.
Effective Dates for Surcharge Suspension
According to the LTA, the suspension of surcharges on international calls will take effect on the following dates:
• May 20, 2025 – Liberia and Sierra Leone
• July 1, 2025 – Liberia and The Gambia
These dates, referred to as the “Go-Live” dates, mark the official implementation of the agreements between the respective countries.
Monitoring Committee Established
To oversee the implementation of the MOUs and ensure compliance, the LTA has established a Monitoring Committee tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the agreement. The committee’s mandate is based on key provisions outlined in Sections 2, 7, 9, 12, and 14 of the bilateral MOUs.
A Step Toward Regional Integration
The LTA emphasized that the decision aligns with LTA-ORDER: 0018-01-15-20, which facilitates free roaming within the ECOWAS region. This initiative is expected to:
• Reduce call costs for subscribers in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
• Enhance cross-border communication and trade.
• Strengthen regional integration within ECOWAS.
Regulators Express Commitment
The announcement was signed by Acting Chairman Hon. Abdullah L. Kamara and Commissioners Hon. Ben A. Fofana, Hon. Patrick R. Honnah, Hon. Clarence Kortu Massaquoi, and Hon. Angela Cassell Bush, all of whom reaffirmed the LTA’s commitment to ensuring affordable and efficient telecommunications services in Liberia.
With this move, Liberia takes another step toward fostering regional cooperation and making telecommunications more accessible for its citizens and businesses.
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