Global Regulatory Intelligence

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has published draft Technical Specifications for Network Equipment, 2026 (CA.TS.520:2026), the proposed technical basis for type approval of switches, routers, firewalls, gateways, servers, NICs and session border controllers. The draft introduces IPv6/IPv6+, cybersecurity, platinum-level PSU efficiency, RoHS, a Digital Product Passport and AI safeguards. Comments close September 30, 2026; the effective date is still TBD.

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has completed the qualification stage of its 5G spectrum licence process for the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz bands. Three of four applicants — MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana, and Goal Telecommunications — qualified to advance to Stage 3, where sealed Best Price Offers will be opened and ranked. This marks Ghana's first competitive, multi-operator 5G spectrum auction and a key milestone for the country's digital connectivity expansion.

Kenya's Communications Authority (CA) is enforcing a new Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) Licence requirement for any business importing or wholesale-distributing communications equipment, including routers, modems, and other CPE. Following the Revised Telecommunications Market Structure gazetted in March 2026, importers and distributors — including existing TEC and Vendor licence holders — must secure the CED Licence before equipment can be type-approved and cleare

Egypt's NTRA has completed Africa's first mobile trial in the upper 6GHz (U6GHz) band, reaching 1.7 Gbps per user in partnership with Telecom Egypt and Huawei. The test is a technical milestone, not yet a commercial allocation, but it signals where Egypt's 2030–2035 national spectrum plan is heading. Manufacturers of network infrastructure and future U6GHz-capable devices should start tracking Egypt's spectrum roadmap now, ahead of any formal allocation or type approval requi

Mozambique has overhauled its telecommunications licensing framework with Decree No. 36/2026, replacing the 2017 regime. The new regulation introduces a unified, class-based licensing system, faster approval timelines, updated spectrum leasing and sharing rules, and dedicated provisions for satellite and broadcasting services. This article breaks down the key changes, what they mean for manufacturers and operators, certification impacts, and the compliance timeline businesses

Madagascar's telecom regulator ARTEC is now strictly enforcing mandatory sample submission for type approval, under the long-standing Decree No. 2014-1650. This ARTEC Madagascar type approval update means manufacturers can no longer rely on technical compliance files alone — a physical product sample is required for testing. Here's what changed, what it means for manufacturers, and the timeline and steps to stay compliant.

Côte d'Ivoire's telecom regulator ARTCI has opened a public consultation on establishing a regulatory framework for VoLTE and VoWi-Fi services. Running from August 10 to September 11, 2026, the consultation invites operators, equipment vendors, and stakeholders to submit feedback that will shape the country's rules for these next-generation voice technologies, with direct implications for device certification, network compliance, and market entry timelines.

The DRC has become the first African market to commercially launch DRC Direct-to-Cell satellite-to-mobile service, run by Airtel Congo with SpaceX's Starlink and supervised by regulator ARPTC. Compatible LTE Android smartphones connect straight to Starlink satellites where terrestrial coverage ends, with no dish or extra terminal. For device makers, the story is handset eligibility and existing ARPTC homologation duties rather than a new certification regime.

Niger's ARCEP has opened a public consultation (20 July-31 August 2026) on the Niger ARCEP PNAF transition plan, the draft roadmap for implementing the 2025 National Frequency Allocation Plan across 2027-2029. Proposals include reallocating 600 MHz from digital TV to IMT/mobile, continuing 700 MHz refarming, reorganising the 3.4-3.8 GHz band for 5G, and moving fixed-wireless use from 2.4/5 GHz toward the lower 6 GHz band. The plan is at draft stage and does not yet change typ

The Government of Rwanda has approved a phased roadmap to retire its legacy mobile networks. The Rwanda 3G network shutdown is scheduled nationwide for 30 June 2027, while 2G retirement is currently targeted for December 2028, subject to a readiness assessment led by MINICT and RURA. This GMA Labs briefing explains what the transition means for device manufacturers, importers and labs, and sets out the certification impact, timeline and required actions to keep products marke

The Egypt NTRA mobile phone activation measure blocks new handsets that fail approved international standards—notably GSMA IMEI rules—from being switched on across Egyptian networks. Effective 1 February 2025 under Telecom Law No. 10 of 2003, it enforces existing type-approval duties at the network layer. For manufacturers and importers, valid IMEI/TAC allocation, NTRA type approval, and Digital Service Platform registration now decide whether a device activates, not just cle

The Mauritius ICTA 5G spectrum landscape has shifted. On 4 June 2026 the Information and Communication Technologies Authority opened the 2300-2400 MHz band and freed additional spectrum in the 2500-2690 MHz band for IMT networks, including 5G. The decision repeals the 15 April 2026 instrument, limits eligibility to established 5G operators, sets TDD synchronised technical conditions, references specific ETSI standards, and signals a possible shift to auction-based spectrum aw

South Africa NRFP 2026 is the country's new master spectrum map. Gazetted by ICASA on 24 July 2026, the updated National Radio Frequency Plan replaces the 2021 edition, aligns allocations with the 2024 ITU Radio Regulations and WRC-23, and covers 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz in ITU Region 1. It designates the upper 6 GHz band for IMT and folds in licence-exempt Wi-Fi and HIBS. Here is what it means for manufacturers, importers and test labs.

Gabon's ARCEP has announced a national awareness and conformity-control campaign that sharpens Gabon type approval enforcement across the device distribution chain. Inspectors will verify that phones, tablets, modems, routers and connected accessories sold in the country carry the required ARCEP homologation vignette, with non-compliant sampling and lab testing. For manufacturers and importers, the message is clear: unhomologated equipment faces active market removal, not jus

Ghana 5G spectrum licensing has entered a new phase. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has stripped Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC) of its exclusive wholesale-5G rights and opened a competitive Request for Applications for spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz mid bands. These are operator- and market-facing actions, but they reshape the addressable market for wireless equipment. This briefing gives manufacturers and importers the verified facts, certification impact,

South Africa's telecoms regulator published draft ICASA satellite spectrum regulations on 15 May 2026, proposing amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015 and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations, 2010. The proposals cover Earth Stations in Motion, satellite user terminals, registration of foreign space segment operators and a revised frequency-based fee formula. Comments closed 29 June 2026. Type approval duties for radio equipment are unchanged b

ICASA rapid deployment regulations reached a decisive stage as South Africa's regulator held public hearings on 13-14 July 2026 on its 2026 draft framework for electronic communications networks and facilities. Gazetted on 10 April 2026, the draft covers permits, land access, compensation, dispute resolution, and a national GIS database. The rules remain in draft and are not yet enforceable. This briefing covers the status, timeline, actions, and impact for operators and manu

The Uganda public Wi-Fi enforcement exercise by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) targets unlicensed operators running public hotspots without authorisation under the Uganda Communications Act, Cap. 103. Operators must obtain the correct licence and deploy UCC type-approved equipment or cease services. For manufacturers and importers, it reinforces that Wi-Fi equipment supplied to Uganda must carry UCC type approval. This briefing covers scope, timeline and certifica

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has moved on three fronts that reshape Ghana NCA Type Approval: draft Minimum Technical Specifications for terminal equipment (with mandatory local NCA lab testing of a sample), the 5G bands devices should support, and a proposal to open the lower 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi 6. Critically, these are consultation-stage measures, not yet gazetted law. This briefing gives the verified status, the impact on manufacturers, and what to do no

Nigeria's NCC has issued draft guidelines opening the lower Nigeria 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) for license-exempt WLAN use — the spectrum foundation for Wi-Fi 6E. The framework is not yet final: it went to public inquiry on 19–20 January 2026 ahead of approval. Every 6 GHz-capable device must secure NCC type approval before importation, sale, or deployment. This article sets out the verified scope, certification impact, timeline, and actions to take now.