Type approval services in Kenya
CAK type approval in Kenya is the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) process for checking that a communications equipment model meets applicable standards and network requirements. Manufacturers and importers also refer to this process as homologation. It covers relevant ICT, telecom, wireless, radio and network equipment. CA explains the scope and procedure.
Biz Brokers Kenya provides type approval and homologation application support for manufacturers, importers, distributors and technology companies. We help classify devices, review technical files, confirm the filing and sample requirements, prepare applications and coordinate follow-up with CA.
Quick answers
| Cost | Published fee examples range from KES 500–5,000 for personal use and KES 2,000–20,000 for marketing. Some listed GMPCS terminals have no fee. Professional fees are separate. See the fee table. |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Application form, manufacturer authorization, manuals, specifications, conformity evidence, applicable test reports, sample and fee. See the current checklist. |
| How to apply | Check the exact model, classify its use, prepare the file, confirm sample and fees, submit to CA and respond to queries. Follow the steps. |
| Processing time | CA's January 2026 service charter lists 14 days for certificate issuance. Technical evaluation and sample testing can take longer. Compare the published timeframes. |
| Approved equipment | Check the brand and exact model against CA's list, then clarify any uncertainty with CA. Check approval status. |
| Exemption | CA may exempt equipment temporarily imported for re-export. A sample waiver is a separate question. Check which route applies. |
Scope
Who needs Type Approval in Kenya?
Confirm type approval before introducing communications equipment for use in Kenya. The scope includes equipment used to send, receive, process or route communications, as well as wireless and radio devices. Commercial supply and deployment also require the appropriate applicant or operator licensing. CA scope and licensing guidance.
Device categories
Equipment that commonly requires CAK type approval
CA’s current application form groups equipment into practical technical categories. The right classification matters because it affects the technical file, test report expectations, sample handling and official fee category.
| Category | Examples | Common compliance focus |
|---|---|---|
| RF Modules | Short range devices, IoT modules, Mi-Fis, CPEs | RF, EMC, safety, RoHS, IPv6 where applicable |
| Telematic Devices | Trackers, LoRaWAN devices | RF bands, power, EMC, device labelling |
| Mobile Phones and Radios | Smartphones, feature phones, satellite phones, push-to-talk radios, two-way radios, IP phones | RF, SAR, safety, IPv6, charger/accessory compliance |
| Networking Equipment | Routers, switches, servers, firewalls, access points, modems, gateways, Wi-Fi repeaters, PABX, OLT, ONT | EMC, safety, IPv6, technical specifications |
| Satellite Network Equipment | VSAT, BUC, LNB, satellite terminals | Satellite bands, RF reports, network compatibility |
| GSM / Broadcast / Microwave | GSM repeaters, RRUs, eNodeBs, 5G NR, FM transmitters, DAB transmitters, digital TV transmitters, STL, encoders/decoders | Spectrum, RF, interference, licence alignment |
These examples follow the categories in the April 2026 CA application form. Test applicability depends on the device. A wired connection or absence of a radio does not by itself establish an exemption: the form also lists switches, servers and firewalls.
Requirements for CAK Type Approval in Kenya
A complete submission identifies the equipment model, the manufacturer and the authorized applicant, and provides evidence that the device meets the applicable technical requirements. Start with the CA Type Approval / Type Acceptance application form, April 2026 and confirm which reports apply to the model.
- Completed application form with brand, marketing name, model, manufacturer and applicant details.
- Letter of agency on the authorizing entity's letterhead, signed and stamped, with verifiable contacts. Where a distributor authorizes the application, include the delegation chain back to the manufacturer.
- Technical specifications on manufacturer documentation and user/operating manuals in English.
- Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity and applicable RF, EMC, health and safety, SAR, IPv6 and RoHS evidence. Confirm applicability instead of submitting the same report set for every device.
- Laboratory test reports in English and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation evidence from an accreditation body that is an ILAC signatory.
- The applicant's applicable CA licence/compliance documentation, as listed in CA’s published procedure.
- Payment evidence for the non-refundable official fee.
- A working, configured sample, labelled with the trade name, model and serial/IMEI number, plus required accessories and test adapters.
Sample requirement: CA's April 2026 checklist expressly lists a sample. If one is unavailable, seek CA's written position on an alternative before relying on a document-only application. CE or FCC documentation does not, by itself, establish a sample waiver. The form warns that samples may not be returned and that testing can be destructive.
Pre-filing check: Match the model on the application, agency letter, label, datasheet, manual, test reports and Declaration of Conformity. For a product family, explain every variant and ask CA whether the proposed grouping is acceptable.
Procedure
How to apply for type approval certification in Kenya
-
Confirm whether the device needs approval
Start with the exact brand and model. Check the existing CA approval list, technical specifications, radio interfaces and intended use before commissioning a fresh application.
-
Classify the equipment correctly
Identify the equipment category and whether it is commercial or non-commercial. Under the April 2026 form, equipment used in business can be commercial even when it is not being resold.
-
Build the technical file
Compile the current form, agency letter, manuals, specifications, conformity evidence, relevant test reports and the applicant’s applicable licence/compliance documents.
-
Confirm official fee and sample position
Confirm CA’s fee classification, sample arrangements and official payment instructions. Resolve any requested exception before shipping commercial stock.
-
Submit the application and respond to queries
Submit the application and supporting documents to CA through the submission channel confirmed for the file. Retain the reference and payment receipt, and answer technical questions by the stated deadline.
-
Obtain certificate and verify approval status
Review the certificate’s exact model, conditions and provisional or final status. Keep it with the equipment compliance records and resolve any discrepancy before distribution or deployment.
Sources: CA application procedure and current application form.
Talk to us about your application. Send your name, company, email, brand/model, datasheet, report list, intended use and target import date. Talk to Us
How long does Type Approval take in Kenya?
CA's January 2026 service charter lists 14 days for issuing a type approval certificate. This is a published service target, not an unconditional turnaround promise for every device. The regulatory decision period and physical testing guidance should also be considered when planning shipment.
| Source | Published timeframe | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 service charter, p. 9 | 14 days | Certificate issuance; completed form and fee are listed requirements. |
| 2010 Regulations, regulation 5 | 60 days | Evaluation and communication of the decision from receipt of the application. |
| April 2026 application form, p. 1 | Up to six months | Sample testing, where undertaken. |
Planning implication: Confirm the expected review and sample-testing route for the actual model before fixing an import or launch date. Regulation 5 also contains a deemed-approval provision; obtain advice on its application to the particular file before relying on elapsed time as authority to proceed.
Avoid delays
Common CAK Type Approval mistakes
- Wrong model mapping: the model on the report does not match the model on the application, label or datasheet.
- Weak agency letter: not on letterhead, not signed/stamped, or not linked properly where a distributor issues the authorization.
- Incomplete test reports: RF, EMC, Safety, SAR, IPv6 or RoHS evidence missing where applicable.
- Wrong use category: treating equipment deployed in a business as personal use merely because it will not be resold.
- Late sample planning: the importer ships commercial stock before resolving CA sample requirements.
- Ignoring related licences: type approval does not replace spectrum, VSAT, ISP/ASP, NFP, broadcasting or other sector licences where those apply.
Compliance risk
Penalties for non-compliance
Dealing in or using equipment without type approval or type acceptance can create regulatory risk, import delays, seizure exposure, market withdrawal issues and possible penalties under the Kenya Information and Communications framework.
Legal basis: 2010 Regulations, regulation 24. Type approval does not replace applicable communications business or operator licences.
CAK Type Approval fees and costs in Kenya
The cost of type approval in Kenya depends on the equipment category and intended use. The fee schedule currently linked by CA contains personal-use examples of KES 500–5,000 and marketing examples of KES 2,000–20,000, with a no-fee entry for certain GMPCS terminals. Professional assistance and other project expenses are separate.
| Equipment example | Personal use | Marketing |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary / cordless telephone | 500 | 2,000 |
| GSM / CDMA terminal | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Modem, router or switch | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| HF / VHF / UHF radio | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| PABX / private exchange | 2,500 | 10,000 |
| VoIP gateway / IP terminal | 5,000 | 20,000 |
| Radio / TV broadcast transmitter | 5,000 | 20,000 |
| VSAT | 2,500 | 10,000 |
| GMPCS terminal with ITU MoU Mark | No fee | No fee |
Source: CA type approval fee schedule, linked from CA Forms and Fees. These are selected examples, not a complete fee list. Confirm the classification and amount payable with CA before payment.
Why the fee labels differ: the published fee schedule uses “personal use” and “marketing”; the April 2026 form uses “non-commercial” and “commercial.” The newer form includes business use and deployment on private networks within commercial use. For example, an office router is not automatically a personal-use application because it is for internal use.
Professional service fees: we quote separately for document review, application preparation, local coordination and follow-up. Send the model count, reports available, sample availability and intended use for a scoped quote. Confirm whether testing, sample courier costs, taxes and any separate licensing work are included in the total.
How to verify type approved equipment in Kenya
To check type approved equipment in Kenya, search CA's official list using the exact brand and model number. The register linked the August 2026 list when checked on 10 September 2026. CA states that the list is not exhaustive and advises confirming uncertain approval status by email to info@ca.go.ke.
Download the CA type approval list — August 2026 (PDF) · Check CA’s register for the latest list
- Record the manufacturer, brand and full model code from the label and datasheet.
- Search for the model and any manufacturer-supported naming variant.
- Compare the model, design and specifications with the certificate or listing; a related product name is not enough.
- If there is no match or the records disagree, ask CA to confirm the status before treating the device as unapproved or exempt.
Already approved models: regulation 3 provides that subsequent users of the same approved type do not apply again. Changes to the model, design or specification require resubmission. Read regulation 3.
Type approval exemption in Kenya
CA may exempt communications equipment temporarily imported into Kenya for re-export under regulation 16. The exemption is discretionary. Obtain CA's confirmation for the equipment and intended use; a personal-use description, foreign certificate or absence of wireless features does not establish a general exemption. Read the 2010 Regulations, especially regulations 3, 6, 16 and 17.
| Situation | Appropriate next step |
|---|---|
| Temporary import with planned re-export | Ask CA about an exemption. Supply the exact model, purpose, intended dates and re-export plan for review. |
| Equipment already approved in another country | Ask whether CA will consider type acceptance based on recognized foreign approval and supporting evidence. |
| No sample available | Seek CA's written sample position. A sample exception concerns the filing/testing route; it is not an exemption from certification. |
| Exact model already approved in Kenya | Verify the existing approval and unchanged specifications before deciding that a fresh application is unnecessary. |
| Wired or apparently non-radio equipment | Review its communication and networking functions. CA's form expressly includes some wired networking equipment. |
For an exemption or scope review, send the datasheet, full model number, interfaces, wireless functions if any, intended use and shipment details. We can help prepare the technical explanation for CA's consideration.
CAK Type Approval FAQs
Does CE or FCC certification replace CA type approval?
No. Foreign approval and test reports may support CA’s assessment or a type-acceptance application, but they do not automatically constitute Kenyan approval. CA decides whether the foreign approval, standards and evidence are acceptable. Regulation 6 explains type acceptance.
Can a foreign manufacturer use a Kenyan service provider?
Yes. A manufacturer can authorize application support through an agency letter. Commercial equipment submissions must use the appropriate licensed vendor route. Confirm the applicant identity, authorization chain and licence/compliance evidence at the start. See CA’s applicant guidance.
Does every device need the same test reports?
No. The reports must address the equipment’s functions and applicable requirements. For example, a radio device needs RF evidence, while the relevant requirements for a wired network device must be assessed separately. Do not assume a CE mark alone is a complete technical file.
Is type approval the same as an import or business licence?
No. Type approval concerns an equipment model. Importation, distribution, spectrum use and provision of communications services may have separate licensing or clearance requirements. Identify these alongside the equipment application.
How long is a type approval certificate valid?
The 2010 Regulations allow provisional approval for up to six months. Apply for final approval before that period expires and observe the certificate’s conditions. Check whether your certificate is provisional or final. See regulations 7 and 8.
What happens if CA requests clarification?
Respond within the deadline in CA’s request and retain the response record. Regulation 9 provides for rejection or deemed rejection if the applicant fails to respond within three months of the request. Comply with any shorter response deadline specified by CA.
Can similar models share one certificate?
Approval is model-specific. Provide a clear comparison of model names, radios, hardware and specifications when proposing a family. Do not assume that a different model is covered simply because the products look alike.
Need help with CAK Type Approval in Kenya?
We assist manufacturers, importers, distributors and technology companies with device classification, document review, agency letters, technical file preparation, official fee confirmation, sample guidance, submission support and follow-up.
Start with a file review: send your name, company, email, phone/WhatsApp, detailed query, model list, datasheet and target import or launch date.