Safaricom cuts calling rates to Rwanda by 60pc

Safaricom has slashed its calling rates to Rwanda by 60 per cent to Sh10 per minute in a move set to reduce the cost of doing business across the two countries.

Customers making international calls from Kenya to Rwanda, and vice versa, will be billed at a rate of Sh10 per minute from the previous Sh25.

The new rates that become effective Wednesday will also see Safaricom subscribers visiting Rwanda receive calls for free, and make calls to local Rwandan networks at Sh10, from the previous Sh17.50 per minute.

The move comes ahead of the East African Community Heads of State initiative dubbed “One Network” that is seeking to slash cross-border call rates in the region.

READ: Mobile call tariffs to fall as East African states scrap levies

Rwanda has scrapped levies and taxes it had imposed on calls from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi.

“These are the early wins of the joint lobbying initiative between operators in both countries and their respective governments over the past one year. We believe that by having affordable regional calling rates, we will be playing a crucial role in boosting regional commerce and social integration within the EAC” said Safaricom’s chief executive Bob Collymore in a statement.

In June 2013, Uganda introduced Sh7, Tanzania Sh10, Rwanda Sh9 and Burundi Sh13 levies on any calls made by Kenyans when roaming or directly calling from the country.

ALSO READ: Kenya, Uganda reach deal on cross-border call rates

Kenya is the only East Africa state that does not levy any taxes on cross-border calls and has been at the forefront of pushing for introduction of a common termination tariff.