Telecom equipment importers and distributors in Kenya are facing higher compliance costs after the Communications Authority (CA) introduced a mandatory Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) licence for businesses importing and wholesaling communications equipment.

The new requirement means companies dealing in mobile phones, routers, modems, fibre-optic equipment, network switches and other communications devices must obtain the CED licence before importing products, securing type approval and clearing goods through the TradeNet system.

For businesses, the directive adds another regulatory requirement that could increase compliance costs, lengthen procurement timelines and require firms to review their licensing status before placing new import orders.

The Communications Authority announced the changes in a public notice dated Tuesday, July 21, 2026, saying the requirement follows the Revised Telecommunications Market Structure gazetted on March 6.

“Any entity that is interested in the import and wholesale distribution of any communication equipment is required to apply for a Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) licence in order to be able to import and have their equipment type approved by the Authority and cleared in the TradeNet system,” the CA said.

Existing telecom equipment importers also affected

The new licensing requirement is not limited to companies entering the market.

The Communications Authority said businesses already operating under Telecommunications Equipment Contractor (TEC) licences or vendor licences must also apply for the Communications Equipment Distributor licence if they intend to continue importing or distributing communications equipment.

“Existing licensees with a Telecommunications Equipment Contractor (TEC) or Vendor License who want to continue importing or distributing communications equipment are also required to apply, with immediate effect, for a Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) License,” the Authority said.

The immediate implementation means businesses can no longer rely solely on their existing licences to import or wholesale communications equipment.

What the new CA licence means for businesses

The biggest impact is likely to be on compliance planning and supply chain management.

Importers will need to obtain the CED licence before seeking Communications Authority type approval and TradeNet clearance, making regulatory compliance an additional step in the import process.

Businesses may also need to allocate more resources to licensing and regulatory administration, particularly firms importing communications equipment regularly or managing large inventories.

Companies that fail to secure the licence could experience delays in importing equipment, affecting stock availability, customer deliveries and infrastructure projects that depend on networking and telecommunications hardware.

The new rules are expected to affect mobile phone importers, ICT distributors, internet service providers, enterprise technology suppliers, systems integrators and wholesalers supplying communications equipment across Kenya.

Why CA introduced the CED licence

The Communications Authority says the new licensing framework is intended to strengthen oversight of communications equipment entering the Kenyan market by linking imports to equipment type approval and TradeNet clearance.

The regulator is also seeking to ensure only licensed distributors participate in the wholesale communications equipment market, improving regulatory oversight and helping prevent the circulation of uncertified communications devices.

Businesses seeking to continue importing communications equipment are required to comply immediately under the revised market structure.

Failure to meet the licensing requirement could expose companies to regulatory enforcement under the Kenya Information and Communications Act.

The Communications Authority has directed current and prospective licensees to review the revised telecommunications market structure and apply for the Communications Equipment Distributor licence before importing or distributing communications equipment.