Kenya's ICT Sandbox
Innovating connectivity and regulation
Explore the Communications Authority of Kenya’s (CA) ICT Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in Africa outside the financial sector, which provides a controlled environment for emerging ICT solutions, ranging from IoT devices to AI-driven services and smart city innovations.
Geographic scope: National (Kenya)
Topic/sector: ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Sandbox type: Regulatory
Year started: 2023
Sandbox status: In operation (nascent stage)
№ of applications so far: 3
№ Accepted: 1 (two under consideration)
Duration of the sandbox: 6-12 months
Who is behind this sandbox: Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)
Website: https://www.ca.go.ke/regulatory-sandbox
Overview of the ICT Sandbox
The CA ICT Regulatory Sandbox, launched in 2023, provides a controlled environment for testing innovative ICT products and services like IoT, AI, and smart city solutions. It enables startups, developers, and regulators to safely experiment with technologies that may fall outside current regulations, offering incentives such as waived requirements and resource access.
Why Communications Authority created the sandbox
Faced with regulatory frameworks that could not keep pace with the rapid evolution of ICT innovations, the CA established its regulatory sandbox to close this gap. By creating a flexible, safe space for testing new technologies outside existing regulatory constraints, the sandbox enables regulators to understand emerging solutions, adapt rules accordingly, and ensure consumer protection, all while fostering trust and collaboration with innovators.
How the sandbox works
Kenya’s CA ICT Regulatory Sandbox is designed to foster inclusivity and innovation by removing financial barriers; eliminating application fees and providing incentives like direct regulatory access and testing exemptions. For instance, equipment type approvals can be waived and there is flexibility in compliance obligations. An online platform is used to streamline applications and communication, which the Communications Authority is improving for a more interactive and supportive experience.
Challenges addressed
The sandbox tackles major obstacles to responsible ICT innovation by providing a safe, collaborative space for testing and development. Specifically, it addresses:
- Lack of Clear Regulatory Pathways for ICT Innovations: The sandbox provides a structured environment to test innovations in a space where traditional ICT regulations may not yet apply.
- Regulatory Ambiguity in Emerging Technologies: Enables innovators to engage regulators early, promoting clearer compliance paths for novel ICT solutions.
- Limited Support for Hardware and Software Integration: Offers tailored guidance and flexibility to accommodate the unique needs of ICT solutions that involve both hardware and software.
Results & insights
The sandbox delivers targeted support and incentives that help innovators test, refine, and scale ICT solutions safely and effectively:
- Direct access to regulators: Participants benefit from close engagement with the regulatory authority, enabling faster feedback and support.
- Access to critical resources: Innovators can access scarce resources like spectrum frequency, supporting real-world testing of ICT solutions.
- Regulatory insight and evolution: The Sandbox generates valuable data to inform future regulatory frameworks and guide updates to existing policies.
- Incentives for participants: Includes waived application fees, regulatory exemptions during testing, and flexible compliance requirements.
Download the full case study
Interested in learning more about Kenya’s ICT Regulatory sandbox and its impact? Download the complete case study for more including participant’s experience in the sandbox, impact, evaluation, and practical insights for sandboxers.
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