Apply for a telecommunications / ICT services licence (ISP, ASP, CSP, network provider)
Communications Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Choose your licence category under CA's Unified Licensing Framework (for example ASP for an ISP, CSP for content and SMS services, or NFP Tier 1-3 for network infrastructure), fill CA's telecom licence application form with an affidavit, company documents and a business plan, and pay the application fee on eCitizen. If CA's Licensing Committee endorses it, it is published in the Kenya Gazette for at least 30 days before the Board decides.
- Fee
- KSh 5,000Application fee for ASP, CSP or NFP Tier 1-3 (non-refundable)KSh 100,000Applications Service Provider (ASP), initial licence fee (15-year term)KSh 100,000Content Service Provider (CSP), initial licence fee (15-year term)KSh 200,000Network Facilities Provider Tier 3, initial licence feeKSh 15,000,000Network Facilities Provider Tier 1, initial licence fee (15-year term)KSh 25,000Micro Network and Service Provider, initial licence feeKSh 5,000Community Network and Services Provider, initial licence feeKSh 10,000Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), initial licence fee
- How long
- At least 30 days in the Kenya Gazette before the Board decides. CA does not publish a total time.
- Where
- CA Centre, Waiyaki Way (Nairobi), any CA regional office, or by email to telecomlicensing@ca.go.ke. Fees are paid on eCitizen.
What you need
- Application Form for Postal, Courier and Telecommunications Licences, with your category ticked
- Signed cover letter to the Director General on your letterhead
- Sworn affidavit naming the licence category, with certified copies of your documents
- Certificate of incorporation or registration
- CR12 not older than 2 months, and IDs or passports of all directors and shareholders
- Valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
- Business plan as guided in the form for your category
Steps
- Pick your licence category from CA's Market Structure page (Unified Licensing Framework, April 2026) and its fee schedule.
- Download and fill the application form, attach the affidavit, company documents and business plan for your category.
- Pay the application fee on eCitizen (ca.ecitizen.go.ke).
- Hand in the application at CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, or a CA regional office, or email telecomlicensing@ca.go.ke with your name and licence category in the subject.
- The Licensing Committee reviews it, it's gazetted for at least 30 days for objections, then the Board decides. If approved you get an offer letter, pay the licence fee and the licence is issued.
Watch out
- Your CR12 must be less than 2 months old when you apply.
- A telecom licence does not include radio frequencies. If you need spectrum, say so in the form and make a separate spectrum application.
- If the affidavit is sworn outside Kenya, all attached documents must be notarised.
Who can apply
- Registered companies and other legally registered entities.
- Foreign companies also need a Certificate of Compliance from the Registrar of Companies in Kenya.
- A Community Network licence is only for a non-profit CBO, society or NGO serving one community at sub-county level.
Official sources (6)
- Application Form for Postal, Courier and Telecommunications Licences ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- License Application Forms & Fees ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Market Structure ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Procedures ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Telecommunications Market Structure and Fee Schedule (June 2026) ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Communications Authority of Kenya - eCitizen ca.ecitizen.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026