Kenya ICT infrastructure sharing regulations 2025 are set to transform the country’s telecom sector by requiring operators to share towers, cables, and other costly assets. The Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy has proposed new rules that would compel internet service providers (ISPs) and telcos to open up their networks to rivals on fair commercial terms.
Currently, each company builds its own towers, fiber networks, and data centers, creating redundancy and high costs. The new rules aim to eliminate these inefficiencies and accelerate the rollout of affordable internet and mobile services nationwide.
Why the Shift?
Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the overhaul seeks to level the playing field in Kenya’s digital economy. Today, a few major operators control most of the infrastructure, leaving smaller firms struggling with high entry barriers.
By forcing infrastructure sharing, the government hopes to lower costs for new entrants while expanding connectivity across underserved regions. The policy is also designed to address environmental concerns over tower congestion in urban areas, where residents have long complained of visual clutter and potential health risks.
Environmental and Social Impact
Kenya’s cities are dotted with multiple competing cell towers, each owned by different operators. The new policy would consolidate this landscape by requiring operators to use shared installations. Regulators argue this will reduce visual pollution, cut redundant construction, and ease concerns about excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
Challenges Ahead
For telecom companies, infrastructure sharing could mean reduced ability to differentiate services. If all players operate on the same network assets, it becomes harder to claim superior coverage or faster speeds.
Other risks include:
- Operational disputes: Coordinating repairs, upgrades, and maintenance across multiple firms may complicate service delivery.
- Network strain: Shared systems could face congestion if not properly managed.
- Investment concerns: Critics fear mandatory sharing could discourage private firms from investing in new infrastructure.
Beyond Sharing
The draft rules extend beyond infrastructure to cover spectrum management, broadcasting, postal services, and consumer protection. Proposals include stricter requirements for customer service, stronger data protection standards, and fairer frequency allocation. Broadcasters may also face obligations to increase local content and diversity of viewpoints.
Public Participation
The Ministry of ICT has opened a two-week public consultation period before finalizing the regulations. If adopted, the new rules would mark a fundamental shift in Kenya’s telecom market.
For consumers, the move could mean cheaper services and wider coverage. For telcos, it signals a future where competition is driven less by infrastructure ownership and more by service quality, pricing, and innovation.
