• Kenya mandates USB-C chargers for all phones sold locally

• New certification fees could raise smartphone prices

• Measures aim to curb non-compliant devices and improve network integrity

Kenya is tightening oversight of its mobile device market. On March 24, the Communications Authority of Kenya issued new technical specifications requiring all phones sold in the country to use USB Type-C charging ports. The measure is part of a broader effort to regulate market entry and limit the circulation of non-compliant devices.

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 MOBILE DEVICE STANDARDS

Thinking of buying or importing a phone?

CA has released New Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices to ensure:
✅ Safer devices
✅ Better network performance
✅ Safety from harmful radiation
✅ Better user experience pic.twitter.com/lu8O6yiqO8

— Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) (@CA_Kenya) March 24, 2026

Beyond the charging standard, the new rules introduce several technical requirements related to safety, performance, and compatibility. Devices must ensure at least eight hours of talk time and 24 hours of standby. They must also comply with material safety standards that exclude certain hazardous substances and remain compatible with existing mobile networks, from 2G to 5G. According to the regulator’s director general, these measures are intended to protect users and ensure network reliability.

The reform also includes a shift in the economic framework. The device certification process, previously free, may now become subject to fees. The authority is proposing charges of 15,000 Kenyan shillings (about $115) for commercial imports and 5,000 shillings for personal imports. These costs would apply regardless of volume and could be passed on to consumers through higher retail prices.

At the same time, the regulator has strengthened enforcement by linking its certification database with the tax authority’s IMEI registry. Devices that are not certified or properly declared can no longer connect to local networks. Several brands have already been identified as non-compliant and removed from the market.

These changes come at a time when device affordability remains a key issue for digital adoption. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of a smartphone represents about 26% of monthly income per capita, compared with 16% in low- and middle-income countries globally, according to the GSMA. This price gap continues to limit access to mobile internet, despite improvements in network coverage. In this context, any increase in entry-level device costs could affect the pace of digital adoption.

Samira Njoya