Kenya is proposing changes that could require telecommunications operators to pay spectrum licence fees upfront instead of spreading payments over several years.
The proposal by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy seeks to remove the existing 10-year instalment arrangement. Safaricom, Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya are among the operators that could be affected.
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Business Daily Africa – Safaricom, Airtel face upfront spectrum fee payments in proposed changes
Proposed Changes to Spectrum Payments
Under the existing law, eligible telecommunications companies can pay spectrum licence fees exceeding KSh1 billion in instalments over a period of up to 10 years.
The arrangement was introduced in 2019 to reduce the initial financial burden on operators seeking access to radio frequencies.
However, the proposed amendment to the Kenya Information and Communications Act would require applicants to pay the full licence fees before receiving approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
The change would remove the payment flexibility currently available to qualifying operators.
Operators Face Higher Initial Costs
The proposed changes could increase the amount of capital telecommunications companies need before acquiring spectrum rights.
Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile operator, spent KSh16.3 billion on licence fees in the year ended March 2026. This was higher than the KSh14.6 billion recorded in the previous year.
Airtel Kenya, owned by India’s Bharti Airtel, could also face higher upfront financial commitments when applying for spectrum licences.
The impact may be greater on smaller operators with limited access to financing. Higher initial payments could also influence investment decisions and network expansion plans.
Public Consultation Begins
The ICT Ministry has invited public comments on the proposed amendments until November 17, 2026.
The changes will require parliamentary approval before they can take effect. Until then, the existing instalment payment arrangement remains in place.
The proposal forms part of wider efforts to review Kenya’s telecommunications licensing framework and spectrum payment requirements.
