New Ict Import Fee Plan Sparks Debate In Kenya
News Updated: 17 March 2026 10:50 EAT
Communication Authority of Kenya Director General David Mugonyi appeared before the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has proposed introducing a new permit processing fee targeting ICT equipment imports, in a move that could reshape how digital devices enter the Kenyan market. The proposal is part of broader regulatory efforts to tighten oversight in the fast-growing technology sector.
According to the regulator, the fee will apply to all permits processed through the KenTrade National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS), commonly known as Kenya TradeNet. The platform serves as a centralized portal for handling import and export documentation across government agencies.
The planned charges are expected to affect a wide range of stakeholders, including importers, exporters, customs clearing agents, ICT licensees, and traders. Industry players across telecommunications, e-commerce, cybersecurity, broadcasting, and courier services are likely to feel the impact.
Under the current system, traders use the NESWS platform to submit documentation, seek approvals, and make payments required for cross-border trade. The proposed fee would be introduced at the permit application stage, adding a new cost layer to the process.
The CA says the move is intended to support its mandate of regulating ICT equipment entering the country. This includes evaluating import permits, ensuring compliance with technical standards, and preventing the influx of counterfeit or substandard devices into the market.
To achieve this, the authority relies on a three-stage evaluation process that involves document verification, compliance checks, and physical inspection of imported equipment. Officials argue that the new fee will help sustain and enhance these regulatory functions.
However, the proposal is already raising concerns among industry stakeholders, who warn that the additional charges could increase operational costs. Businesses may ultimately pass these costs on to consumers, potentially driving up prices of essential electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, and networking devices.
The CA has opened the proposal for public participation, inviting feedback from industry players, traders, and members of the public. Submissions are expected to be made before the April 30, 2026 deadline, after which the authority will review the input before making a final decision.
The NESWS framework, established under Kenyan law, allows for the collection of fees and levies on imports and exports while streamlining trade processes. As such, the proposed changes fall within existing legal provisions governing trade facilitation.
If implemented, the new fee would mark a significant shift toward tighter regulation of ICT imports in Kenya. While the move is aimed at improving quality control and market oversight, concerns remain over its potential impact on business costs and the affordability of digital devices in the country.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD