Africa: Egypt (NTRA), Nigeria (NCC), Kenya (CA)
South Africa has its own guide (ICASA South Africa). This page covers three other markets from the regulators' own texts: Egypt, where the NTRA type approves any equipment with a communication element under one of three schemes chosen by the manufacturer's country; Nigeria, where the NCC applies the Type Approval Regulations 2024 and SON certifies imports through SONCAP; and Kenya, where the Communications Authority (CA) applies 2010 type approval regulations and KEBS runs PVoC. The common thread is that test reports travel (NTRA takes CE, FCC/UL and IEC reports from ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories, NCC can list foreign laboratories accredited under the ILAC arrangement) while certificates, labels and import documents stay national.
Egypt: NTRA
Section titled “Egypt: NTRA”Legal basis and scope
Section titled “Legal basis and scope”NTRA describes type approval as "a compulsory step applied when importing or manufacturing or assembly of any equipment having a communication element", checking compliance with the RF, electromagnetic compatibility, safety and health standards approved in Egypt, under Communication Law No. 10 of 2003. So the NTRA file is not radio-only: it covers RF, EMC, safety and health.
The NTRA FAQ sets the perimeter with examples:
- Required: wired and wireless telecommunication equipment, such as fixed and mobile phones, IP cameras, exchanges, routers and switches, satellite equipment, radar, and receivers such as GPS receivers.
- Optional for now: personal computers, laptops and household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines; active antennas.
- Not required: passive antennas, broadcast TV and AM/FM receivers.
- Module only: for products whose main function is not telecommunication (the FAQ cites medical equipment with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), type approving the built-in communication module is sufficient.
Who applies, and how long it lasts
Section titled “Who applies, and how long it lasts”The FAQ answers directly: "Equipment manufacturers, their representative or authorized local or overseas companies and local importers can apply". Since January 1, 2026, all applicants, local and overseas, file through the NTRA digital type approval portal. The certificate is issued about 14 days after payment of the fees, once the documents and any samples have passed, and it remains valid as long as the product does not change. A product is type approved once; the brand owner must inform NTRA before any change.
Type approval is not an import permit. The FAQ says the applicant must also get the importation or manufacturing permit from the NTRA importation services department, and a product licence where one applies.
The three schemes
Section titled “The three schemes”NTRA classifies countries into three categories (update of May 22, 2023):
- 1st category: EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan (written "Taiwan/ PRC" in the NTRA list),
- 2nd category: China and India,
- 3rd category: all other countries.
A determination chart on the procedure page then assigns the Light, Intermediate or Tight scheme. The laboratory conditions are the part that decides whether an existing test campaign can be reused:
| Scheme (document, version) | Test reports accepted | Samples |
|---|---|---|
| Light (Doc 01, 1-2026) | Complete CE, FCC/UL or IEC reports. China: Group A labs, or ISO/IEC 17025 labs accredited by CNAS or by an ILAC-registered body located in a 1st category country, assessed case by case. Other countries: Group A labs or ISO/IEC 17025 labs accredited by an ILAC-registered body | Mobile phone or cellular tablet: one final sample plus one conducted sample with SMA access to the cellular port. Cellular repeater: one conducted sample. DECT phone: one final sample. Other products: none unless explicitly requested |
| Intermediate (Doc 03, 1-2026) | 1st category: ISO/IEC 17025 labs accredited by an ILAC-registered body. 2nd category: Group A labs, or labs with A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation plus an accredited testing branch in Egypt. 3rd category: ILAC-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 labs with at least one accredited branch in a 1st category country or in Egypt | Same table as Light |
| Tight (Doc 02, 2-2026) | Verification of Compliance (VoC) certificate from an NTRA Group A lab after testing to European harmonised standards; Group B (India) reports are reviewed by a Group A lab with NTRA | Group A labs may request samples and keep them one year |
Since March 5, 2024, a manufacturer in a 3rd category country holding an ISO certificate for design, development or manufacturing, issued by a certification body located in a 1st category country and registered by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), is placed under the Light scheme.
ILAC and IAF are now Global ACI. The 2026 NTRA documents still name ILAC-registered accreditation bodies (for test reports) and IAF-registered certification bodies (for ISO certificates). On January 1, 2026 both organisations were brought together in Global ACI, whose MRA covers the scopes of the former ILAC MRA and IAF MLA. As of October 2026 the NTRA texts do not mention Global ACI, so confirm with NTRA that an accreditation listed under the Global ACI MRA is accepted where its documents say ILAC or IAF.
The Light and Intermediate dossiers list: application form, data sheet and operational description, manufacturer ISO certificates if available, EU-type examination certificate if available, the brand owner declaration of conformity, the complete test reports, external and internal photos, labelling photos and, for products aimed at the public, an Arabic manual.
Labelling and Arabic manual
Section titled “Labelling and Arabic manual”For the Light and Intermediate schemes, Table 3 of the procedure requires, "clearly, visibly and indelibly":
- on the device: brand, model, country of origin, CE or FCC mark, and serial number (cellular terminals: IMEI where the back cover is removable instead of the serial number),
- on the package box: brand, model, country of origin, CE or FCC mark (plus IMEI for cellular terminals),
- on shipping cartons: brand, model and the serial numbers (or IMEI) of the units inside,
- on the external battery and charger: brand, model, CE, FCC or UL mark, country of origin and input/output ratings.
A device too small for all the information may carry only brand and model. The NTRA label list does not include an NTRA approval number. Since March 24, 2025, products for the public (mobile phones, home routers) need an Arabic user manual naming its translator, who must be ISO 17100 accredited or accredited by a governmental organisation in an Arab country. The model name on shipment invoices must match the approved model exactly.
Nigeria: NCC and SON
Section titled “Nigeria: NCC and SON”NCC Type Approval Regulations 2024
Section titled “NCC Type Approval Regulations 2024”The Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations, 2024 (S.I. No. 23 of 2024, Official Gazette No. 128 of July 29, 2024) were made under sections 70 and 134 of the Nigerian Communications Act No. 19 of 2003. Regulation 34 revokes the Type Approval Regulations No. 23 of 2008 and the Type Approval Guidelines. The key provisions:
| Regulation | What it says |
|---|---|
| 3 | Applies to every "Equipment Holder": a person that provides communications services, or manufactures or supplies communications equipment |
| 4 | Equipment may be used or supplied only if NCC approved the Equipment Type or it is exempt under regulation 23; the Equipment Holder need not be the applicant |
| 6 | Supporting documentation kept for at least five years after the equipment was last used or supplied |
| 7 | Each item sold as an approved type carries the mark of the Commission in a conspicuous place, in the format of the Type Approval Business Rules |
| 8 | Application: applicant details, brand, product name, model, version and functions, a Declaration of Conformity backed by valid tests |
| 9 | NCC may accept a Declaration of Conformity backed by tests from accredited laboratories, and may require factory visits |
| 10 | Applications handled in order of receipt; decision, with reasons for any refusal, within 30 days |
| 12 | Provisional approval for prototypes, at most 180 days, report due within 30 days of expiry |
| 17 | The NCC list of suitable laboratories may include foreign laboratories accredited under an ILAC Mutual Recognition Agreement, and laboratories accredited by NCC in Nigeria (since January 1, 2026 the Global ACI MRA covers the former ILAC MRA scope) |
| 23 | No further approval for equipment of an approved type with the same brand, product name, model number, function, radio frequencies and physical interfaces |
NCC states that its Type Approval Standards are based on IEC, CISPR, CENELEC and ETSI standards. The published list, grouped by equipment type, still cites several legacy references (EN 55022 / CISPR 22, EN 55024 / CISPR 24, EN 60950, ETSI EN 300 328-2), so the standard named in a current test report may not match the list line for line.
NCC fee schedule
Section titled “NCC fee schedule”NCC publishes fees in US dollars, payable in naira at the Central Bank of Nigeria rate on the day of invoicing (page updated October 2, 2026):
| Equipment class (extract) | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | 50 |
| Mobile phone, modem, WLAN module, Wi-Fi router, BLE or other Bluetooth module, IoT sensors | 1,800 |
| Tablet | 2,500 |
| Integrated system (for example a laptop with Bluetooth and WLAN modules), enterprise router or gateway | 3,500 |
| Radio base station, point-to-point radio | 7,000 |
| Switching exchange | 20,000 |
Variants pay 20% of the family fee, plus an administrative fee of 5% and VAT of 7.5% of the type approval fee. A device in several classes pays the higher class, and a foreign verification exercise can change the total.
SONCAP
Section titled “SONCAP”SON defines SONCAP as "a pre-shipment verification of conformity to Standards process" against the applicable Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) "or approved equivalents". It is handled offshore by eight Independent Accredited Firms (IAF) named by SON.
Scope by exclusion. All imported goods are regulated except food products, medicines, medicals other than equipment and machines, raw-material chemicals for food and medicines, military wares, contraband, and used products other than motor vehicles. Consumer electronics are therefore in scope unless SON grants an import permit.
Two certificates. The Product Certificate (PC) is issued to the exporter and is required to open the CBN Form M. The SONCAP Certificate (SC) is issued by SON on receipt of the IAF Certificate of Conformity, carries the importer's details and is used to process the Nigeria Customs PAAR. One SC covers one consignment.
| Certificate | Route | Validity | SON fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC1, Unregistered | A | Six months, single use (one shipment) | USD 500 |
| PC2, Registered | B | 12 months, multiple use | USD 1,000 |
| PC3, Licensed | C | 12 months, multiple use | USD 2,000 |
| SONCAP Certificate | issued by SON on the IAF Certificate of Conformity | one PAAR consignment | USD 350 |
Additional models in the same certificate and test report cost USD 10 per month of validity per model. SON states that PCs and SCs are generated within 96 hours. A SONCAP certificate cannot be processed after the consignment has left the country of origin: the SONCAP Default is charged at 20% of CIF value or 2 million naira, whichever is higher. The importer needs a FIRS Tax Identification Number to process SONCAP certificates.
Kenya: Communications Authority and KEBS
Section titled “Kenya: Communications Authority and KEBS”2010 type approval regulations
Section titled “2010 type approval regulations”The Kenya Information and Communications (Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Communications Equipment) Regulations, 2010 were made under section 27 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, when the regulator was the Communications Commission of Kenya; the Communications Authority of Kenya publishes them as current regulations.
| Regulation | What it says |
|---|---|
| 3(1) | Terminals, network equipment, wireless and radio communications equipment connecting to or inter-working with a network in Kenya must be submitted for type approval or type acceptance before use |
| 3(2), 3(3) | Approval granted once per equipment type; a change of model, design or specification requires a new submission |
| 5 | Decision within 60 days of receipt; no answer within that period means the application is deemed approved |
| 6 | Type acceptance of equipment already approved by a recognised foreign authority, with samples, test results and the foreign certificate |
| 7 | Provisional type approval for at most six months |
| 9(4) | An application is rejected if the applicant does not answer a request for clarification within three months |
| 12 | Type approval label with the logo of the Authority, the equipment type and the alphanumeric identification |
| 17 | Supplying, importing or distributing communications equipment requires a licence from the Authority, and the equipment must be type approved |
Regulation 5(1) also allows the Authority to keep the samples submitted.
KEBS PVoC
Section titled “KEBS PVoC”KEBS describes PVoC as conformity assessment and certification of goods by accredited third-party inspection companies in the exporting countries. It started on September 29, 2005 (Legal Notice No. 78 of July 15, 2005); the current basis is Legal Notice No. 78 of April 28, 2020, amended by Legal Notices 212 (December 18, 2020) and 53 (April 22, 2021).
Scope. The PVoC Manual (Version 13, March 13, 2023) states that all imported goods from the countries covered by the programme, including goods regulated by other agencies, must be certified before shipment, except those in the schedule of Legal Notice 78 (2020). Goods from countries outside the programme go to destination inspection.
Routes and fees (Manual, sections 6.1 and 6.2):
| Route | Basis | Validity | Fee (share of FOB value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Testing and physical inspection of each consignment | per consignment | 0.60% |
| B | Product registration for frequent homogeneous shipments, test reports from Route A shipments | registration one year | 0.55% |
| C | Product licensing for manufacturers with a quality management system | licence three years, or the contract validity | 0.35% |
Each route has a minimum of USD 265 and a maximum of USD 2,700, excluding laboratory testing, licensing, registration and re-inspection. Test reports must come from a recognised laboratory, and the contractors' laboratories must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
Comparison: Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa
Section titled “Comparison: Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa”| Egypt | Nigeria | Kenya | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment regulator and act | NTRA, Law No. 10 of 2003 | NCC, Act No. 19 of 2003 | CA, KICA 1998 | ICASA, Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 |
| Current procedure text | Docs 01 to 03, versions 2026 | Type Approval Regulations 2024 | Type approval regulations 2010 | Type Approval Regulations 2013 |
| Applicant | Manufacturer, representative, local or overseas company, local importer | Equipment Holder (provider, manufacturer, supplier) | Service provider; licensed supplier, importer or distributor | Certificate issued only to a South African registered company |
| Decision period in the text | about 14 days after payment (FAQ) | 30 days | 60 days, then deemed approval | see the ICASA guide |
| Laboratory rule | ISO/IEC 17025, ILAC-registered accreditation body, conditions by country category | ILAC MRA accredited foreign labs may be listed | not set in the 2010 regulations | ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test laboratory (regulation 8) |
| Mark on product | CE or FCC mark, brand, model, origin | Mark of the Commission | CA label with logo | see ICASA guide |
| Import conformity scheme | NTRA importation permit | SONCAP (PC + SC) | PVoC (CoC) | NRCS Letter of Authority for compulsory specifications |
Claims the texts contradict
Section titled “Claims the texts contradict”| Common claim (including earlier versions of this page) | What the text says |
|---|---|
| "A foreign manufacturer cannot file with NTRA directly" | NTRA FAQ: manufacturers, their representatives, authorised local or overseas companies and local importers can apply; since January 1, 2026 local and overseas applicants use the same portal |
| "NTRA operates under limited reciprocity agreements for foreign reports" | The Light and Intermediate schemes accept complete CE, FCC/UL or IEC reports from ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories with ILAC-registered accreditation, under conditions that depend on the country category |
| "The NTRA approval number must appear on the product" | The NTRA labelling table lists brand, model, country of origin, CE or FCC mark and serial number; it does not list an NTRA number |
| "NTRA type approval clears the shipment" | FAQ: the certificate "is not considered a permit for its importation"; an importation permit is needed separately |
| "NTRA has four schemes, including Guided" | The Guided scheme was cancelled on May 22, 2023; the procedure page lists three (Light, Intermediate, Tight). The FAQ text still says four |
| "NCC publishes its Type Approval Guideline" | Regulation 34 of the 2024 Regulations revoked the 2008 regulations and the Type Approval Guidelines; processes are now in the Type Approval Business Rules (regulation 13) |
| "SONCAP applies to a published list of regulated products" | SON: all imported goods are regulated except a short list of exclusions |
| "PVoC applies to a list of regulated products" | PVoC Manual: all imported goods from programme countries, except those in the schedule of Legal Notice 78 (2020) |
| "ILAC-MRA accreditation is the baseline for recognition by ICASA" | ICASA Type Approval Regulations 2013, regulation 8: reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test laboratory; the regulation names no ILAC requirement |
| "A medical device with Bluetooth needs a full NTRA approval" | NTRA FAQ: for products whose main function is not telecommunication, approving the built-in module is sufficient |
Test plan across the three markets
Section titled “Test plan across the three markets”- Build one European test file first. NTRA accepts complete CE, FCC/UL or IEC reports and the NCC standards list is built on ETSI, CENELEC, IEC and CISPR documents. A 2.4 GHz radio report to EN 300 328 is the natural common input, provided each regulator accepts the edition.
- Check the laboratory, not only the report. For Egypt the accreditation body must be ILAC-registered and, for 2nd and 3rd category manufacturers under the Intermediate scheme, the laboratory needs an accredited branch in Egypt or in a 1st category country.
- Plan the safety evidence for import schemes. SONCAP certifies against NIS "or approved equivalents" and PVoC against Kenya standards or approved specifications. A CB test report on IEC 62368-1 or IEC 60335 is a usual starting point, but neither programme text names the IEC CB Scheme, so acceptance is decided by the IAF or PVoC contractor.
- Start SONCAP and PVoC before shipping. Neither can be obtained after the goods leave the country of origin; Nigeria charges the SONCAP Default.
- Freeze the model name and hardware. Egypt matches invoices to the approved model name, Kenya requires a new submission on any change of model, design or specification, and NCC exemption for repeat imports needs the same brand, model, frequencies and interfaces.
- Budget per country. NCC and SON fees are published in USD (tables above), PVoC fees are a share of FOB value, and NTRA publishes its own fee table on the procedure page.
For the MRA and accreditation background, see Conformity assessment bodies and accreditation.
Key dates
Section titled “Key dates”| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Egypt Communication Law No. 10; Nigerian Communications Act No. 19 |
| September 29, 2005 | KEBS PVoC starts (Legal Notice No. 78 of July 15, 2005) |
| 2010 | Kenya importation, type approval and distribution regulations |
| April 28, 2020 | Legal Notice No. 78 (2020), current PVoC basis, amended December 18, 2020 and April 22, 2021 |
| March 13, 2023 | PVoC Manual Version 13 |
| May 22, 2023 | NTRA: three country categories, Guided scheme cancelled |
| March 5, 2024 | NTRA: manufacturer ISO certificates added; Light scheme for 3rd category manufacturers with qualifying ISO certificates |
| July 29, 2024 | NCC Type Approval Regulations 2024 commence, 2008 regulations and guidelines revoked |
| March 24, 2025 | NTRA: Arabic manual for public products, ISO 17100 translator, indelible labels |
| January 1, 2026 | NTRA: single digital portal for local and overseas applicants |
| October 2, 2026 | NCC type approval fee page last updated |
See also
Section titled “See also”- ICASA South Africa: type approval and NRCS LoA
- Radio type approval worldwide
- IECEE CB Scheme
- CITC and SASO: certification in Saudi Arabia
- TDRA (UAE) and SDPPI (Indonesia): radio approval
- GCC: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the G-Mark (GSO)
- ISED Canada: radio certification and REL listing
- ACMA and RCM: product compliance for Australia + NZ
- Telstra, Optus, TPG: cellular IoT acceptance in Australia
Key takeaways
Section titled “Key takeaways”- Egypt: NTRA type approval covers RF, EMC, safety and health; three schemes depend on the manufacturer's country; overseas companies can apply; the certificate is not an import permit.
- Nigeria: NCC applies the Type Approval Regulations 2024 (30-day decision, NCC mark, ILAC MRA laboratories may be listed); SONCAP covers almost all imports with a PC for Form M and an SC for PAAR.
- Kenya: the 2010 regulations give a 60-day decision with deemed approval, type acceptance of foreign approvals, and a CA label; PVoC applies to all imports from programme countries except the exemption schedule.
- No pan-African certificate: the ATU coordinates but does not approve equipment.
- South Africa requires ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory reports and issues certificates only to South African companies (see the ICASA guide).
For a wider map, see ICASA South Africa, CE marking, RED, EU + US dual certification, Certification timeline, and the Glossary.
Sources & references
- NTRA, Type Approval (overview page), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/en/regulations/type-approval/
- NTRA, Type Approval Frequently Asked Questions, NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/en/regulations/type-approval/frequently-asked-questions/
- NTRA, Type Approval Procedure (schemes, country categories, fees, forms), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/en/regulations/type-approval/type-approval-procedure/
- NTRA, Doc 01, Light Type Approval Scheme Procedure (Version 1-2026), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Doc-01-Light-Type-Approval-Scheme-Procedure-Version-1-2026.pdf
- NTRA, Doc 02, Tight Type Approval Scheme Procedure (Version 2-2026), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Doc-02-Tight-Type-Approval-Scheme-Procedure-Version-2-2026-1.pdf
- NTRA, Doc 03, Intermediate Type Approval Scheme Procedure (Version 1-2026), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Doc-03-Intermediate-Type-Approval-Scheme-Procedure-Version1-2026.pdf
- NTRA, Major latest updates on Type Approval procedure (2-2026), NTRA www.tra.gov.eg/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Major-latest-updates-on-Type-Approval-procedure-2-2026.pdf
- Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations, 2024, S.I. No. 23 of 2024 (Official Gazette No. 128, Vol. 111, July 29, 2024), NCC ncc.gov.ng/media/1118/view
- NCC, Type Approval (standards, approved equipment, fee schedule), NCC ncc.gov.ng/industry/numbering-type-approval/type-approval
- SON, SONCAP services, SON son.gov.ng/soncapservice/
- SON, SONCAP FAQ (certificates, fees, validity, exemptions), SON son.gov.ng/soncap-faq/
- Kenya Information and Communications (Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Communications Equipment) Regulations, 2010, Communications Authority of Kenya www.ca.go.ke/sites/default/files/2023-06/Importation-Type-Approval-And-Distribution-Of-Communications-Equipment-Regulations-2010-1.pdf
- Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Communications Authority of Kenya www.ca.go.ke/
- KEBS, Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) overview and legal basis, KEBS inspection.kebs.go.ke/pvoc-services/
- KEBS, PVoC Manual, Version 13 of March 13, 2023, KEBS inspection.kebs.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PVOC-MANUAL_v13.pdf
- ICASA Type Approval Regulations, 2013 (General Notice 871, Government Gazette 36785), ICASA www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/Type-Approval-Regulations.pdf
- African Telecommunications Union (ATU), ATU atuuat.africa/
- ITU Radio Regulations, International Telecommunication Union www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR
- Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated launch (January 1, 2026), IAF iaf.nu/en/news/global-accreditation-cooperation-incorporated-launch-unifies-international-accreditation-organisations-and-strengthens-worldwide-trust/
Frequently asked questions
- Does ICASA certification in South Africa cover Egypt, Nigeria or Kenya?
- No. Each country issues its own approval under its own law: NTRA in Egypt (Law No. 10 of 2003), NCC in Nigeria (Nigerian Communications Act No. 19 of 2003 and the Type Approval Regulations 2024), the Communications Authority in Kenya (Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, and the 2010 type approval regulations). Test reports can be reused where each regulator accepts them: NTRA accepts complete CE, FCC/UL or IEC reports from ISO/IEC 17025 laboratories that meet its scheme conditions, and the NCC regulations allow foreign laboratories accredited under the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (since January 1, 2026 the Global ACI MRA covers the former ILAC MRA scope). The certificate itself is national.
- Who can apply for NTRA type approval in Egypt?
- The NTRA FAQ states that equipment manufacturers, their representatives, authorised local or overseas companies and local importers can apply. Since January 1, 2026, local and overseas applicants file through the same NTRA digital type approval portal. Type approval is not an import permit: the importer still needs the importation permit from the NTRA importation services department.
- What is the difference between NCC and SON in Nigeria?
- NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) approves communications equipment under the Nigerian Communications (Type Approval) Regulations 2024, S.I. No. 23 of 2024, which revoked the 2008 regulations and the old Type Approval Guidelines. SON (Standards Organisation of Nigeria) runs SONCAP, the offshore pre-shipment certification of imported goods. A radio product imported into Nigeria normally needs both: NCC type approval and the SONCAP Product Certificate and SONCAP Certificate.
- Is SONCAP mandatory for all products imported into Nigeria?
- SON defines the scope by exclusion: all imported goods are regulated by SONCAP except food products, medicines, medicals other than equipment and machines, certain raw-material chemicals, military wares, contraband and used products other than motor vehicles. The Product Certificate opens the CBN Form M and the SONCAP Certificate clears the goods through the PAAR. A shipment that leaves the country of origin without SONCAP faces a default charge of 20% of CIF value or 2 million naira, whichever is higher.
- Who regulates radio in Kenya and what is PVoC?
- The Communications Authority of Kenya type approves communications equipment under the 2010 Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Communications Equipment Regulations, which set a 60-day decision period. KEBS runs PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) under Legal Notice No. 78 of 2020: all goods imported from the countries covered by the programme need a Certificate of Conformity issued in the exporting country, unless listed in the exemption schedule.
- How long do NCC and CA take to decide?
- The NCC Type Approval Regulations 2024 (regulation 10) require the Commission to communicate its decision within 30 days of receiving the application. The Kenyan 2010 regulations (regulation 5) set 60 days, and an application not answered within that period is deemed approved. NTRA states that a certificate is issued about 14 days after payment of the fees, once documents and any samples have passed.
- Is there a pan-African certification?
- No. The African Telecommunications Union, founded in 1977 as a specialised agency of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), coordinates in telecommunications but does not issue equipment approvals. Each of the three regulators issues its own certificate and keeps its own list of approved equipment.
- What must appear on the label?
- Egypt (NTRA Light and Intermediate schemes): brand, model, country of origin, CE or FCC mark and, for non-cellular products, serial number, clearly, visibly and indelibly; products for the public also need an Arabic manual. Nigeria: the mark of the Commission in a conspicuous place (regulation 7 of the 2024 Regulations). Kenya: a type approval label with the Authority logo, the equipment type and its alphanumeric identification (regulation 12 of the 2010 Regulations).