Joseph Isangura
Kenyan President William Ruto has called for the harmonisation of telecommunications systems across East Africa, proposing a regional framework that would significantly reduce cross-border communication costs and deepen economic integration.
Speaking on May 4, 2026, at a Tanzania–Kenya business forum held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, President Ruto said the region should move toward a unified telecom system in which cross-border calls are treated as local calls.
He said the initiative should involve Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, noting that closer economic and social ties within the region require more affordable and seamless communication infrastructure.
“We want a call from Kenya to Tanzania to be treated as a local call, and a call from Tanzania to Kenya to be treated the same way, because we are one people,” he said.
Ruto urged private sector investors in the telecommunications industry to collaborate across borders in developing integrated systems that would reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support regional business operations.
The proposal forms part of broader efforts within East Africa to accelerate economic integration under regional cooperation frameworks aimed at facilitating trade, investment, and the free movement of goods and services.
Analysts say a harmonised telecommunications system could significantly lower operational costs for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that rely heavily on mobile communication and digital connectivity for cross-border trade.
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However, experts also caution that implementation would require complex regulatory alignment among national communications authorities, as well as coordination on taxation, infrastructure standards, and spectrum management policies.
The concept of a unified telecom market has been discussed within East African Community policy circles for several years, but progress has been limited due to differing national regulations and market structures.
If implemented, the initiative could mark a major step toward creating a more integrated digital economy in East Africa, strengthening regional competitiveness and improving connectivity for millions of users across the region.
The remarks were delivered during a wider economic forum focused on strengthening Tanzania–Kenya cooperation in trade and investment, as both countries continue to position themselves as key drivers of East African economic integration.
