The government has introduced a new licensing framework for digital courier platforms in a major shake-up of Kenya's rapidly growing parcel delivery industry.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the government has revised the country's Postal and Courier Market Structure to align regulation with emerging technologies and changing business models in the logistics sector.

The revised framework, which will take effect from July 29, 2026, creates a new licence category known as the 'Courier Hailing Service Provider' for digital platforms that connect customers with licensed courier operators.

Under the new framework, firms seeking the licence will pay a Ksh5,000 application fee and an initial licence fee of Ksh100,000.

📌 What You Need to Know

They will also pay an annual operating fee of Ksh100,000 or 0.4 per cent of their audited annual gross turnover, whichever is higher. In addition, the firms will remit a Universal Service Levy equivalent to 0.5 per cent of their annual gross turnover.

According to the authority, the new licence will apply to platforms that facilitate the collection, conveyance, dispatch, handling and delivery of parcels through specialised digital systems.

"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 Communications Authority said in the gazette notice.

The revised market structure also sets licence fees for other players in the sector. Public Postal Operators will pay an initial licence fee of Ksh1.5 million, while International Courier Operators will pay Ksh100,000.

National Courier Operators, including companies, associations and rider SACCOs, will pay an initial licence fee of Ksh30,000.

Documents reviewed by Kenyans.co.ke show the new licence creates a separate regulatory category for digital courier platforms, distinguishing them from traditional courier operators as app-based delivery services continue to expand across the country.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke