South Africa is advancing rapidly toward a digital economy, guided by frameworks such as the National Development Plan, National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper (2016), the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy (2020), and the Broadband Policy (SA Connect) as well as international frameworks such as the WSIS+20 strategies. These frameworks aim to promote universal access, digital inclusion, and economic innovation.
The Electronics Communications Amendment Bill anticipated to launch by April 2026. There is also ongoing operationalisation of the 2025 draft regulations on Dynamic Spectrum Access and Opportunistic Spectrum Management in the Innovation Spectrum 3800-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 Mhz and the 2024 Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy. Finally, some broad understanding of how internet governance in South Africa and Africa operates as well as basic human rights frameworks would add value to the context of access to connectivity and information.
Despite these progressive policies, significant disparities remain in how different stakeholders—particularly civil society organisations, CCCis/ community networks, small ISPs and local governments, including traditional authorities—understand and participate in ICT policy processes. Limited technical and policy capacity often prevents these groups from engaging meaningfully in the development, implementation, and monitoring of ICT policies.
This capacity-building initiative responds to that gap by empowering diverse actors with the knowledge, analytical tools, and advocacy skills needed to engage effectively in ICT policymaking and ensure that digital transformation in South Africa remains inclusive, equitable and participatory. Specifically, the workshop will prepare CCCIs and civil society to prepare inputs to the forthcoming ECA Bill public consultation and deliberations.
Goal
To strengthen multi-stakeholder capacity, specifically civil society and CCCIs operators, for effective engagement in South Africa’s ICT policy processes, specifically the forthcoming ECA Bill, thereby contributing to inclusive and evidence-based digital transformation
Objectives
- Knowledge: Improve understanding of South Africa’s ICT policy landscape, including institutional structures, priorities, and regulatory frameworks.
- Skills: Build analytical and advocacy skills to influence ICT policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
- Networking: Foster collaboration among civil society, academia, government, and private sector actors on ICT policy and digital inclusion.
Target participants
- Civil society representatives working on digital inclusion, rights, and innovation (possibly representatives from the Connectivity Coalition i.e. Kagiso Trust, DGMT)
- CCCi / Community network operators and grassroots technology initiatives
- Local government ICT and innovation officers
- Researchers, journalists, and ICT policy analysts