Barriers to Regional Broadband Connectivity
Despite notable progress in enhancing regional connectivity, some challenges persist and continue to hinder regional digital integration. Key ones include:
- High Costs and Infrastructure Gaps
Broadband internet in Eastern Africa remains costly, particularly for landlocked countries, where both wholesale and retail prices are significantly high. These elevated costs are further amplified by critical infrastructure deficits along the broadband value chain, which restrict network coverage and limit bandwidth capacity.
The lack of extensive fiber-optic backbones, inadequate last-mile connectivity, and insufficient infrastructure-sharing mechanisms contribute to these challenges, making internet access both expensive and unevenly distributed.
Some Partner States lack terrestrial fibre networks, hindering cross-border connectivity. While coastal nations benefit from international submarine cables, inland countries rely on them for access.
- Weak Regulatory Frameworks
Fragmented telecom regulations in the Partner States continue to hinder cross-border market development, limiting competition and discouraging private sector participation. The absence of clear regulatory frameworks, licensing challenges, and inconsistent policy enforcement create uncertainty for investors, slowing the expansion of cross-border broadband infrastructure and services.
Harmonising telecom policies across the region is essential to fostering a more attractive investment climate and creating an integrated regional connectivity market. Coordinated regulatory reforms, infrastructure-sharing agreements, and cross-border cooperation can help lower costs, enhance service quality, and accelerate broadband expansion, ultimately driving economic growth and digital inclusion.
- Fragmented Data Collection
Weak statistical capacity due to fragmented and inconsistent data collection, significantly hampers effective policymaking and investment planning in the region’s digital sector. The lack of reliable, standardised metrics makes it challenging to assess market trends, infrastructure needs, and the overall impact of digital policies. Establishing a Unified Regional Digital Economy Statistical Framework is critical for to generating accurate, harmonised indicators that can guide evidence-based decision-making, enhance regulatory coordination, and attract targeted investments to accelerate broadband expansion and digital transformation across the region.
- Security Concerns and Investment Risks
Political instability in some Partner States continue to deter private investment in broadband infrastructure. The risks associated with conflict zones make it challenging for investors to commit to long-term projects, slowing down connectivity expansion in these regions.
Additionally, low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and foreign exchange shortages further discourage investment in the sector. With limited profitability and financial constraints, service providers struggle to scale operations and improve network quality.
Despite these challenges, the demand for data services is growing rapidly across Eastern Africa. However, current investment levels remain insufficient to meet future needs, highlighting the urgency for increased funding, policy interventions, and innovative solutions to bridge the connectivity gap.
- Incomplete ONA Implementation
Incomplete implementation of the EAC One Network Area (ONA) initiative continues to pose challenges for affordable intra-regional voice and data services. Gaps in eliminating surcharges and the lack of standardised tariffs among Partner States create cost disparities, making cross-border communication expensive for consumers and businesses. Without full enforcement of ONA policies, roaming charges remain high, limiting seamless connectivity and economic integration across the region.