Get an NFP Tier Assessment CAK Licensing Overview
A Network Facilities Provider (NFP) licence is the core “infrastructure licence” under the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) Unified Licensing Framework (ULF). It is designed for entities that build and commercially operate telecommunications/electronic communications systems — the “pipes and towers” layer of connectivity. Typical NFP activities include building/operating fibre networks, microwave backhaul, towers and masts, ducts, data transmission infrastructure, and other network facilities used by service providers to deliver connectivity to customers.
To apply for an NFP licence in Kenya, you typically need a registered Kenyan entity (commonly a limited company for NFP tiers), permanent premises/registered office in Kenya, director/shareholder details, evidence of tax compliance, a strong business & rollout plan, and a complete CAK application pack submitted with a sworn affidavit. Exact requirements depend on the tier and your rollout model.
NFP fees depend on the tier and usually include an application fee, an initial licence fee (paid after approval and before issuance), plus annual operating fees (often a percentage of gross turnover or a minimum amount). If you require frequency spectrum, spectrum access and annual spectrum fees apply separately.
Commercial telecom licences are processed on a first-come-first-served basis and can take up to about 135 days once all requirements are met. The process may include publication (gazettement) and a public representations window.
Tier 1 is intended for large-scale network facilities deployment at a national level. This tier is typically suitable for major backbone networks, national transmission networks, or nationwide infrastructure footprints.
Tier 2 supports significant infrastructure rollouts and is commonly used by national or regional infrastructure operators, including fibre/microwave backbone providers and large tower/infrastructure deployment companies.
Tier 3 is designed for county-level infrastructure deployment. It’s commonly relevant for county-based fibre builds, local backhaul networks, and infrastructure projects operating primarily within a county boundary.
Most rejections and delays happen at the tier selection and rollout explanation stage. If your project will expand beyond a county, select a tier that matches your 24–36 month rollout (not just “day 1”).
You likely need an NFP licence if your business model involves building/operating telecom network facilities that will be used to provide services to third parties (directly or indirectly). Typical cases include:
If you will also sell connectivity packages/services to customers, you may need an Application Service Provider (ASP) licence alongside NFP (depending on your exact model).
Fees are reviewed from time to time. Use the official CAK market structure and application form to confirm current fees before payment. Below is a practical overview used for planning and budgeting.
| Tier | Licence Term | Application Fee | Initial Licence Fee | Annual Operating Fee (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFP Tier 1 | 15 years | KES 5,000 | KES 15,000,000 | 0.4% of annual gross turnover or KES 4,000,000 (whichever is higher) |
| NFP Tier 2 | 15 years | KES 5,000 | KES 15,000,000 | 0.4% of annual gross turnover or KES 800,000 (whichever is higher) |
| NFP Tier 3 | 15 years | KES 5,000 | KES 200,000 | 0.4% of annual gross turnover or KES 160,000 (whichever is higher) |
Spectrum note: if your rollout requires frequency spectrum, spectrum access and annual spectrum utilization fees apply separately based on bandwidth, coverage and service parameters.
We confirm the correct NFP tier based on geography (national vs county) and infrastructure scope, and determine whether you also require ASP (service layer), frequency spectrum resources, or other approvals.
Assemble corporate documents, ownership/directorship information, premises details, tax compliance evidence, and a strong business & rollout plan. Ensure names/ownership details are consistent across all documents.
Submit the completed application form with a cover letter and sworn affidavit bundle (as required), then pay the prescribed application fee and retain the receipt.
Accepted applications may be published in the Kenya Gazette, with a window (commonly 30 days) during which representations can be raised by interested parties.
Upon approval, you pay the initial licence fee and any relevant charges before the licence is issued. After licensing, you must operationalize the licence within the required period.
The final checklist varies by tier and your business model, but a practical “first-time-right” pack often includes:
Telecom licensing can trigger ICT sector policy requirements on Kenyan share allotment/participation within a defined period after licensing. We review your shareholding structure early and advise the cleanest compliant approach for your tier and growth plans.
Many NFP deployments (especially microwave backhaul and some wireless infrastructure) require frequency spectrum. Spectrum is typically applied for separately and assigned subject to availability and applicable fees. If your rollout needs spectrum, we prepare a parallel spectrum strategy so you don’t get a licence but “no usable frequencies.”
Related resources often needed for rollout:
Biz Brokers Kenya supports end-to-end NFP licensing: tier selection, document preparation, submission support, responses to CAK queries, and post-licence compliance setup (renewals calendar + fee controls + rollout readiness).
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Fast assessment: Share your counties/coverage, infrastructure type (fibre/towers/microwave), rollout timeline (12–36 months), and whether you need spectrum.
Entity eligibility depends on the licence category/tier. In practice, NFP tiers are commonly structured for limited companies due to infrastructure scale and obligations. We confirm the safest eligible entity setup for your tier before submission.
If you are not building/operating network facilities and your model is service-led (resale/managed services), you may fit better under an ASP licence. If you will build network facilities, NFP is usually required.
If your rollout involves communications equipment that requires type approval before activation, you should plan for CAK Type Approval. See CAK Type Approval in Kenya.
We provide practical solutions to individuals, Businesses and organizations for you registration and compliance requirements all over Kenya