South Africa: Independent Communications Authority approved transfer of Individual Electronic Communications Service and Network Service licences from Market Demand Trading to Khumo Telecoms

On 16 September 2025, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) approved the applications for the transfer of ownership of Individual Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS) and Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (I-ECNS) licences from Market Demand Trading to Khumo Telecoms. This approval was granted in terms of section 9(5) of the Electronic Communications Act, Act No. 36 of 2005, as amended. The application was evaluated on the basis of promotion competition in the ICT sector, equity ownership by historically disadvantaged persons, and the interests of consumers. An I-ECNS license allows its holder to construct and operate a physical, electronic communication network for commercial purposes on a provincial and/or national scope. An I-ECS Licence allows the holder to provide services to customers over their own network or the network of any ECNS licensee, including voice or voice over IP services that use numbers taken from the National Numbering Plan, nationwide or across a province.