ARTICLE
30 September 2020

ICT Companies To Have 30 Percent Local Shareholding Under New Policy

On 7 August 2020, the National Information Communications and Technology Policy Guidelines, 2020 were published in the Kenya Gazette under the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
Kenya Corporate/Commercial Law

On 7 August 2020, the National Information Communications and Technology (ICT) Policy Guidelines, 2020 (the 2020 ICT Policy) were published in the Kenya Gazette under the Kenya Information and Communications Act (No.2 of 1998) (KICA). KICA empowers the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, Technology, Innovation and Youth Affairs to issue to the sector regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya, policy guidelines relating to the implementation of KICA.

The Kenya Information and Communications (Broadcasting) Regulations 2009 (the Broadcasting Regulations) and the Kenya Information and Communications (Licensing and Quality of Service) Regulations 2010 enacted under KICA provide that the shareholding of a licensee shall at all times comply with the Government's Communications Sector Policy, as may be published from time to time.

Increase in local equity ownership requirement from 20 percent to 30 percent
Based on the Government's aim to encourage Kenyans to participate in the ICT sector through equity ownership, one of the key changes introduced by the 2020 ICT Policy is a requirement for licensed companies in the ICT sector to have "at least 30 percent substantive Kenyan ownership".

The 2006 ICT Policy had originally provided for a 30 percent Kenyan equity ownership requirement. However, in 2007, pursuant to a Gazette Notice, the threshold was brought down from 30 percent to 20 percent. The 2020 ICT Policy has reverted to the original position requiring all companies providing "ICT Services" to have at least 30 percent Kenyan ownership, either corporate or individual, in order for them to be licensed.

Notably, the term "ICT Services" has not been defined under KICA or the 2020 ICT Policy although "information and communication technologies" has been defined under KICA as "technologies employed in collecting, storing, using or sending out information and include those involving the use of computers or any telecommunication system".

This is a broad definition that is likely to be interpreted to cover all services that require a licence under KICA. Entities that undertake any services that fall under this definition or that fall under the ambit of KICA and require licensing for their operations will, therefore, be required to comply with the 30 percent local ownership requirement.

Compliance Period and Applicability to Existing Licensees
Licensees will have 3 years to comply with the new local ownership requirement. However, it is unclear how the new requirement will be interpreted in relation to existing licensees who have not met the 30 percent local ownership requirement and whether the intention is for the 3 years to commence from the date of the gazettement of the 2020 ICT Policy (i.e. August 2020) or the date of grant of a licence.

The 2020 ICT Policy provides that a licensee may apply to the Cabinet Secretary for a 1-year extension with appropriate acceptable justification. However, the policy does not give any guidance on what may be deemed an "acceptable justification".

Inconsistencies with existing regulations
There are also inconsistencies with existing legislation. For instance, the Broadcasting Regulations provide that a subscription management services licensee (this includes the provision of support services to a subscription broadcasting service such as subscriber management support, subscription fee collection, call centres, sales and marketing, and technical and installation) shall be required to have minimum local equity participation of 20 percent.

It is therefore unclear whether the 20 percent local shareholding requirement will continue to apply to subscription management services or whether the 30 percent local shareholding requirement under the 2020 ICT Policy will apply to these services. Whilst there is a requirement for the shareholding of a licensee to at all times comply with the Government's Communications Sector Policy, as may be published from time to time, the 2020 ICT Policy acknowledges that for it to be fully implemented, the legal, institutional and regulatory framework must be reviewed at the government's initiative in order to be aligned with the policy and to give the 2020 ICT Policy legal and binding effect. However, we understand that the implementation process of the 30 percent local ownership requirement is likely to commence immediately.

We understand that the process of aligning the current regulatory framework under KICA with the provisions of the 2020 ICT Policy is underway and that the aim is to ultimately have all companies offering ICT Services comply with the 30 percent local ownership requirement. It would, therefore, be prudent for companies to begin implementing measures to adhere to this requirement.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More