Gambia Threatens Sanctions Against Unlicensed Internet Operators
May 14th 2026
- Public Utilities Regulatory Authority gave unlicensed internet service providers in Gambia seven days to comply with telecom regulations.
- Authorities plan inspections, service disconnections, equipment seizures and legal sanctions against operators that fail to regularize operations.
- The regulator aims to strengthen market fairness, network security and service quality as internet resale activities expand across West Africa.
In Gambia, the telecommunications regulator granted illegal internet access service providers a seven-day ultimatum to comply with national regulations. After the deadline expires, the authority plans to launch inspections and impose sanctions against unauthorized operations.
The notice, published on Tuesday, May 12, by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), targets all individuals and entities involved in providing Wi-Fi hotspots, internet resale services or any form of public internet access. The measure follows a previous registration exercise that remained open from Jan. 1 to March 3, 2026.
“Although some operators have complied, the Authority observes that a significant number continue to operate without authorization and, in some cases, without sufficient transparency regarding their operating arrangements,” the telecom regulator said.
Once the deadline passes, authorities will conduct enforcement actions within a multi-agency framework. Planned measures could include inspections of premises and installations, verification of licensing status, orders to cease unauthorized operations, disconnection of illegal services, removal or sealing of unauthorized equipment, seizure of material under legal procedures, and judicial proceedings and applicable sanctions.
According to PURA, compliance with the regulatory framework remains essential to ensure fair competition in the communications sector, protect licensed operators from market distortions, preserve service quality for consumers, and maintain network integrity and security.
The regulator’s latest available sector data showed that Gambia counted four licensed mobile operators, four internet service providers and one fixed-line operator in 2020. More recent figures from DataReportal showed that the country had about 1.28 million mobile internet subscribers at the end of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 45.9%.
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