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. There is 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.
