Airtel Kenya’s Long-Term Licence Still Awaits Regulatory Approval

Airtel Kenya’s long-running battle over its operating licences appears far from settled, despite recent claims that the telecommunications company had secured a new 25-year licence.

A notice issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) indicates that Airtel’s applications for two important regulatory approvals are still undergoing the formal approval process. The regulator has invited members of the public to submit comments on Airtel’s application for a Network Facilities Provider Tier 1 (NFPT1) licence and an International Gateway Systems and Services (IGSS) authorisation.

The public participation period is scheduled to run until September 28, 2026, after which the CA is expected to consider the submissions before making a decision.

The NFPT1 licence would allow Airtel to establish and operate communications infrastructure in Kenya, including facilities such as data centres. The IGSS authorisation is particularly significant because of Airtel’s plans to introduce satellite-based connectivity through its partnership with SpaceX.

Airtel and SpaceX successfully conducted tests of satellite-enabled data and messaging services in Kenya in March 2026. The technology is expected to enable compatible mobile phones to maintain connectivity in areas where conventional terrestrial networks are unavailable, without requiring users to install a Starlink dish.

However, commercial deployment in Kenya will require the necessary regulatory approvals. Airtel Africa launched its first commercial Starlink Mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo in August, while indicating that expansion into other African markets would depend on individual regulatory approvals.

Airtel’s licensing problems date back several years. Its original Kenyan operating licence expired in 2015 after Airtel inherited it through the acquisition of YuMobile in 2014. A settlement reached with the regulator in 2022 helped pave the way for a renewal through 2025.

In September 2024, the CA subsequently granted Airtel a temporary two-year extension beginning in January 2025. The arrangement was intended to give both sides time to resolve outstanding matters involving licence fees, spectrum and penalties linked to service disruptions.

The temporary licence is due to run until January 2027.

The situation became more complicated in August 2026 when Airtel Kenya CEO Djibril Tobe said the company had secured a fresh 25-year licence after paying an undisclosed amount. He indicated that only final administrative requirements, including the satellite-related approval, remained.

The CA’s subsequent notice, however, suggests that the formal licensing process is still underway. Neither Airtel nor the regulator has publicly clarified the apparent discrepancy.

Meanwhile, rival Safaricom has already obtained its own 25-year licence, leaving Airtel facing continued uncertainty over its long-term regulatory position and the timeline for launching its Starlink-powered mobile service in Kenya.