The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has unveiled a revised postal and courier market structure that introduces new licensing categories and updates regulations governing courier companies, digital delivery platforms and postal operators.
In a gazette notice dated July 3, CA said the new framework, which takes effect on August 2, follows a public consultation process and aims to align the sector with changing technology and market trends.
According to the Authority, the review is intended to create a more responsive regulatory framework as Kenya’s postal and courier industry continues to evolve with the growth of e-commerce, app-based delivery services and digital logistics platforms.
“Notice is given that the Authority has carried out public consultation on the review of the existing postal and courier market structure for the postal services to respond to growing technological and market trends in the sector. The effective date of the Revised Postal and Courier Market Structure shall be 30 days from the date of this notice,” CA Director David Mugonyi said.
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One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a Courier Hailing Service Provider licence, a new category targeting companies that operate digital platforms connecting customers with licensed courier operators.
Under the revised framework, these platforms will be required to obtain a licence to facilitate the collection, conveyance, dispatch, handling and delivery of postal and courier items through digital systems.
The licence will be valid for 10 years and will attract an application fee of Ksh 5,000, an initial licence fee of Ksh 100,000, and an annual operating fee of Ksh 100,000 or 0.4 per cent of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher. Operators will also pay a 0.5 per cent Universal Service Levy based on their annual gross turnover.
The Authority has also revised the National Courier Operator licence, allowing it to be issued not only to individual courier companies but also to associations and SACCOs bringing together individual riders and delivery service providers.
The move is expected to provide a formal regulatory pathway for organised rider groups involved in parcel delivery across the country.
National courier operators will pay an application fee of Ksh 5,000, an initial licence fee of Ksh 30,000, and an annual operating fee of Ksh 30,000 or 0.4 per cent of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher. The licence will remain valid for 10 years.
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For companies providing international courier services, the revised framework retains a separate licence covering inbound and outbound postal and courier services to and from Kenya.
This category also authorizes operators to offer national courier services.
International courier operators will pay Ksh 100,000 as the initial licence fee, alongside an annual operating fee of Ksh 100,000 or 0.4 per cent of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher.
The revised market structure also retains the Public Postal Operator licence, reserved for the designated public postal service provider responsible for delivering universal postal services and meeting Kenya’s international postal obligations.
This licence carries an initial fee of Ksh 1.5 million and remains valid for 15 years.
The revised Postal and Courier Market Structure is available for free download on the CA website at https://www.ca.go.ke/published-findings.
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Revised Postal and Courier Market Structure
| Licence Category | Term | Application Fee | Initial Licence Fee | Annual Operating Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Postal Operator | 15 years | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 1.5 million | Ksh 500,000 |
| International Courier Operator | 10 years | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 100,000 | Ksh 100,000 or 0.4% of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher |
| National Courier Operator | 10 years | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 30,000 | Ksh 30,000 or 0.4% of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher |
| Courier Hailing Service Provider | 10 years | Ksh 5,000 | Ksh 100,000 | Ksh 100,000 or 0.4% of annual gross turnover, whichever is higher |
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