After Askanwi Spotlight, All Telecoms Fall in Line With D75 Data Cap

Screenshot of Telecoms Tariffs captured on 8th Jan 2026 © Askanwi

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT

The first week of 2026 began on a positive note for Askanwi Media after it blew the whistle on telecom operators for failing to comply with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) D75 per 1GB price ceiling, announced on 19th December 2025.

Following sustained media coverage throughout the week—including engagements with PURA and Gamcel—all telecom operators are now in compliance with the price ceiling, eight days into the new year. However, the price ceiling took effect on 1st January 2026, meaning that customers of Africell, Gamcel, and QCell were overcharged for data during the first week of the year.

Askanwi’s first exposé, published on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, set the tone by revealing that only Comium was charging D65 per 1GB, while its nearest competitors were charging as much as D130 per 1GB. This meant that Comium was the only operator that did not overcharge its customers.

The following day, Askanwi reporters continued monitoring data tariffs and observed that both Africell and QCell had reduced the cost of 1GB of data to D65. At that point, only the state-owned telecom operator, Gamcel, was still charging above the maximum allowable price of D75 per 1GB. This reduction represented a 50 percent decrease in the cost of 1GB of data for affected customers.

After Askanwi contacted Gamcel for clarification, the company’s General Manager, Ms Fatou Fatty, explained that the technician responsible for updating the system was based outside the country and was on holiday. She assured Askanwi that the data tariff would be updated by the morning of 8th January 2026.

Yesterday, Askanwi confirmed that Gamcel had reduced the price of 1GB of data from D130 to D60, making it the cheapest among the four telecom operators in the country.

It is important to note that the prices quoted are standard data tariffs and do not include promotional offers.

Cost of Data as of 8th Jan 2026 © Askanwi

Askanwi also questioned PURA on the lack of compliance during the first week of implementation, noting that in August 2025, telecom operators faced no technical challenges when increasing data tariffs. Four months later, however, operators cited technical difficulties when tariffs were due to be reduced.

In response, PURA’s Senior Economist, Mr. Ebou Nget, acknowledged the non-compliance and confirmed that the regulator had written to the telecom operators, demanding immediate compliance and explanations for the delays.

When asked about customers who were overcharged during the first week of January and whether refunds would be issued, Mr. Nget acknowledged that customers had suffered financial losses. He stated that PURA would decide on the way forward after receiving written explanations from the telecom operators regarding their delayed compliance.

Askanwi will continue to follow this story as PURA deliberates on possible refunds for affected customers.

The movement against the data price floor began with 23 activists who were arrested after submitting a petition to PURA and staging a protest outside its premises. Police responded by arresting and detaining the peaceful protesters at police stations and Mile 2 Prison for a total of six days. Although the alleged offences were misdemeanours and bailable, the protesters were eventually released on bail and continue to face prosecution.

While the activists were in detention, President Adama Barrow established a committee led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. After concluding its work, the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Hon. Lamin Jabbi, informed Parliament in December 2025 that the ministry had written to PURA instructing it to suspend the price floor as far back as 16th October 2025.

Subsequently, on 19th December 2025, PURA issued a statement suspending the price floor and introducing a price ceiling of D75 per 1GB. This move effectively aligned the regulator with the demands of the petitioners.

However, the activists are still facing criminal charges for unlawful assembly, and it remains to be seen whether the government will drop the case.

Activists protesting outside PURA