Get licensed as an electronic certification service provider (digital certificates)
Communications Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply to the Communications Authority (CA) using its licence application form, ticking E-CSP and attaching a Certificate Practice Statement and business plan, and pay the KSh 5,000 application fee on eCitizen. Even after you get the licence, you can only issue digital certificates once CA has audited and accredited you.
- Fee
- KSh 5,000Application fee (non-refundable)KSh 100,000Initial licence feeKSh 80,000Annual operating fee (minimum; 0.4% of gross turnover if higher)
- 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 E-CSP 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
- Certificate Practice Statement and a business plan
Steps
- Download the application form from CA's Licence Application Forms & Fees page, fill the universal form and tick E-CSP under Services.
- Pay the application fee on eCitizen (ca.ecitizen.go.ke).
- Hand in the form and documents at CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, or a CA regional office, or email them to telecomlicensing@ca.go.ke with your name and the licence category in the subject.
- If CA's Licensing Committee endorses it, your application is published in the Kenya Gazette for at least 30 days, then goes to the Board. If approved, you get an offer letter and pay the licence fee.
- After the licence, roll out your systems within a year, apply for accreditation and pass CA's compliance audit before you issue any certificates.
Watch out
- A licence alone is not enough: you may only issue digital certificates once CA accredits you.
- The accreditation audit must be passed within one year of getting the licence.
- Your CR12 must be less than 2 months old when you apply, or the application can be held up.
Who can apply
- Registered companies or other legally registered entities.
- Foreign companies can apply but also need a Certificate of Compliance from the Registrar of Companies in Kenya.
Official sources (5)
- 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
- Licensing Procedures ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Electronic Certification Services Provider licence terms and conditions ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Communications Authority of Kenya - eCitizen ca.ecitizen.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026