West Africa must benefit from digital revolution – WATRA

By Isaac AIDOO, Accra

CHAIRMAN of the Executive Committee of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), Amara Brewah, has in a recent interview outlined the organization’s ongoing initiatives and the crucial role it plays in shaping the telecommunications landscape across the region.

As the Director-General of Sierra Leone’s National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA), Brewah brings over two decades of experience in the ICT industry to WATRA and has been instrumental in driving regulatory collaboration among West African countries.

Brewah emphasized that the media and the general public have an important role to play in advancing WATRA’s mission. “WATRA has a vital message that needs to be communicated across the sub-region,” he explained, noting that the media’s role is crucial in raising awareness about the importance of regulatory harmonization and digital inclusion.

Public consultations and feedback are key components in ensuring that WATRA’s goals are not only understood but also supported by a wide array of stakeholders.

One of WATRA’s primary objectives is bridging the digital divide, which remains a significant challenge in West Africa. According to Brewah, despite the diverse economic and regulatory environments of its member countries, WATRA’s collaborative efforts aim to create adaptable regulatory frameworks that promote fair competition, protect consumers, and facilitate technological advancement.

“Regulators in the region face unique challenges, but by learning from one another and adopting best practices, we can create solutions that are effective across the board,” Brewah said.

WATRA has made significant strides in its efforts to harmonize telecommunications regulations across the region. One of its most successful initiatives has been the ‘One Network Area’ project, which has drastically reduced roaming charges and improved mobile connectivity within West Africa.

This initiative, aligned with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Protocol, is a major step forward in regional integration, making communication more affordable for citizens and businesses traveling across the region. Brewah sees this as a clear example of how collaborative regulatory frameworks can directly impact consumers and drive economic activity.

Despite these achievements, Brewah acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in the regulation of the fast-evolving telecommunications industry. WATRA continues to navigate complex issues such as the digital divide, the rapid pace of technological change, and the need for stronger infrastructure to support advancements like 5G technology.

“The adoption of 5G is inevitable, but the pace varies across countries,” Brewah said, noting that WATRA’s role is to provide a regulatory framework that supports its deployment, while also addressing public concerns and ensuring infrastructure readiness.

One of the critical areas Brewah highlighted is WATRA’s commitment to improving internet access in underserved areas, which are often rural or remote regions. He pointed out that many West African countries rely on the Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) to support these areas, but ensuring effective use of these funds requires robust regulatory frameworks.

WATRA has been instrumental in shaping policies that incentivize telecom operators to extend their services to low-profit-margin areas, helping drive digital inclusion in some of the region’s most marginalized communities.

Brewah also touched on the importance of aligning WATRA’s activities with global telecommunications standards. Through extensive benchmarking and research, WATRA aims to ensure that the regulatory frameworks it develops position the region to compete globally in the telecommunications sector.

“Our goal is to make WATRA a reference point, not only for West African countries but also for other African nations,” Brewah noted, adding that by adopting international best practices, WATRA is creating a future-proof regulatory environment that will attract global investments.

In addition to its work on telecommunications infrastructure, WATRA is playing a crucial role in the economic empowerment of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). By improving access to digital platforms and online markets, WATRA is enabling SMEs to grow and compete on a larger scale

 “A small business in a rural town can now sell its products to a much wider market because of improved telecommunications infrastructure,” Brewah explained, underscoring the direct impact of WATRA’s efforts on local economies.

Looking toward the future, Brewah shared WATRA’s plans to explore new satellite technologies, including Starlink, which has recently been adopted in Sierra Leone. This technology promises to expand internet access even further in remote and underserved regions, boosting digital penetration and economic growth across West Africa.

In conclusion, Brewah emphasized that WATRA’s mission is centered on creating affordable and quality telecommunications services for all West Africans. Through collaboration, the organization aims to foster a regulatory environment that not only attracts investment but also supports sustainable growth, economic integration, and social development.

“Telecommunications is a key driver of development,” Brewah said. “Our work at WATRA is about ensuring that all West Africans can benefit from the digital revolution, no matter where they live.” With a focus on fostering collaboration between regulators, encouraging public-private partnerships, and aligning with global standards, WATRA is poised to continue leading West Africa’s telecommunications sector into a future of enhanced digital connectivity and economic prosperity.