By: Famara Singhateh
Africa-Press – Gambia. Author’s Introduction:
Mr Singhateh is a dual-qualified Barrister and Solicitor and the Head of the West Africa Practice at A-Law International Law Firm in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium. His practice is dedicated to crafting strategic legal frameworks and high-stakes regulatory compliance across over 60 jurisdictions in Africa, Asia and the EU.
The palpable frustration echoing through the streets of Banjul is a powerful testament to a promise unfulfilled. The recent public outcry and protests over the dramatic increase in mobile data prices are not merely a reaction to a policy misstep; they are a profound plea for a fair and inclusive digital future for The Gambia. The decision by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to implement a mandatory price floor for data, resulting in increases of over 200%, has ignited a national conversation that strikes at the very heart of our nation’s development ambitions. As the Presidential committee convened yesterday begins its vital work, it does so at a critical juncture, with the opportunity to steer The Gambia’s telecom liberalisation back onto a path that prioritises its people.
The coalition government’s decision in 2018 to liberalise the telecommunications sector was born of a commendable vision: to break old monopolies, attract foreign investment, and harness the power of competition to improve services and lower costs for consumers. The fact that this vision has, in this instance, culminated in widespread distress signals a complex disconnect between policy and its practical execution. The core issue transcends the price of a gigabyte; it touches on deeper questions of regulatory governance, market fairness, and the fundamental right to affordable access in an increasingly digital world.
The Gambia is not alone in facing these challenges. Across Africa, nations have navigated the turbulent waters of telecom reform with varying degrees of success. The lesson from those who have thrived is that liberalisation is merely the first step. Its success depends entirely on the framework that surrounds it. Ghana’s reforms, for instance, were powerfully linked to the growth of small and medium enterprises, creating a virtuous cycle where improved connectivity directly fueledeconomic innovation and job creation. This demonstrates that telecom policy cannot be formulated in isolation; it must be intricately integrated into the broader national economic strategy.
Furthermore, the integrity of the regulatory institution is paramount. Nigeria’s communications commission has implemented stringent corporate governance rules, including cooling-off periods for officials, to safeguard against conflicts of interest and build unwavering public trust. This model of transparent and accountable regulation is essential for ensuring that the rules of the game are perceived as fair for both investors and citizens. Meanwhile, a country like Morocco demonstrated the value of a phased, strategic approach, coupling market opening with significant public investment in national digital infrastructure to ensure that growth is both sustainable and equitable.
The mandate before the Presidential committee is therefore both technical and profoundly political. It must look beyond the immediate price floor and examine the entire ecosystem. This includes assessing the adequacy of our competitive safeguards to prevent oligopolistic behaviour, the transparency of the regulatory decision-making process, and the mechanisms for protecting the most vulnerable from being excluded from the digital revolution. A key consideration must be the establishment of a robust universal service fund, financed by operator revenues, to specifically support connectivity for underserved communities without distorting the market for all.
The protests are a symptom of a broken covenant between promise and outcome. They represent the frustration of a youth population eager to compete in a global digital economy but being priced out of the starting gate. They represent the anxiety of small business owners for whom the internet is no longer a luxury but an essential tool for survival.
This committee has a historic opportunity to mend that covenant. By drawing on best practices from across the continent and prioritising the principles of inclusion, transparency, and fair competition, it can transform this moment of crisis into a foundation for genuine and sustainable digital growth. The potential investors and development partners are watching, but more importantly, the people of The Gambia are waiting. We urge the committee to recommend a path that ensures our digital gateway remains open and affordable for every Gambian.
Source: Kerr Fatou Online Media House
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