Togo: Trading of Ghanaian cell phone chips is illegal

The first official indication that a booming trade in Ghanaian mobile phone chips exists in Togo came to light when the authorities issued a stern warning to those who indulge in the “illegal trade” in Lomé.

Following the closure of MOOV, Togo's second mobile phone telecommunication service provider, about a month ago by authorities, many Togolese subscribers have resorted to crossing the Aflao border into neighbouring Ghana for the purchase of Tigo, Kasapa, MTN or Zain brand of phone chips to reactivate their mobile cellular phones.

But, the Togolese National Frequency Allocation Board warned against the practice, which it described as “illegal”.

The Togolese authorities warned that all traders suspected to be involved in the sales or distribution of these Ghana based mobile products would be arrested by the police and prosecuted.

The Togolese authorities withdrew the operational license of MOOV, the country's second mobile phone service provider for defaulting in the payment of annual frequency fees estimated at 20 billion CFA francs.

This has left the field openly monopolized by TOGOCEL, a state owned service provider.

It is estimated that over 150,000 Togolese cell phone users were affected by the license withdrawal of MOOV, Atlantique Telecommunications company.