The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has introduced a mandatory Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) Licence for all businesses importing or wholesaling communications equipment in the country.
Effective immediately, the new licence applies to products including mobile phones, routers, modems and other telecommunications equipment imported for commercial distribution. The move follows the revised Telecommunications Market Structure published under Gazette Notice No. 3335 through the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
Under the new framework, businesses must obtain a CED Licence, secure type approval for every product model and complete TradeNet clearance before communications equipment can be sold in Kenya. Existing Telecommunications Equipment Contractor (TEC) and Vendor licence holders intending to continue importing or distributing communications equipment must also apply for the new licence.
The regulations further require importers to provide IMEI numbers for mobile devices, ensure internet-enabled equipment complies with IPv6 requirements and submit commercial invoices detailing product models and quantities.
The licence attracts a KES 5,000 application fee, a KES 250,000 licence fee valid for 15 years and an annual operating fee of 0.4% of turnover, subject to a minimum payment of KES 120,000. Businesses operating without the required licence or importing non-approved equipment risk fines of up to KES 1 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
According to the Authority, the new licensing framework aims to strengthen regulatory oversight, curb counterfeit and substandard communications equipment and safeguard Kenya’s telecommunications infrastructure.
