NCA Hosts Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority on Satellite Services Regulatory Benchmarking Visit

The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana recently hosted the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for a benchmarking visit focused on satellite services regulation. This visit underscores a critical trend in African telecommunications: the increasing reliance on satellite technology to bridge digital divides and the corresponding need for robust, harmonised regulatory frameworks. The engagement facilitated knowledge exchange on licensing, spectrum management, and the oversight of emerging satellite services, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. For legal practitioners, this collaboration highlights the evolving complexities of satellite law, the imperative for cross-border regulatory understanding, and the growing importance of regional harmonisation in fostering a competitive and accessible digital landscape across the continent.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana recently welcomed a delegation from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for a strategic benchmarking visit centered on the regulation of satellite communications services. This high-level interaction in Accra signifies a pivotal moment in Africa's rapidly evolving telecommunications sector, where satellite technology is increasingly recognised as a vital tool for expanding connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The visit aimed to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of best practices in managing the intricate regulatory landscape of satellite services.

The benchmarking initiative comes at a time of significant technological advancement, with the proliferation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communication services reshaping the global connectivity paradigm. For African nations, these innovations offer unprecedented opportunities to accelerate digital inclusion and economic development. However, they also present complex regulatory challenges, necessitating adaptive and forward-looking legal frameworks. This article will delve into the existing regulatory environments in Ghana and Tanzania concerning satellite services, analyse the implications of such benchmarking visits, and discuss the broader significance for legal practitioners navigating this dynamic field.

The core thesis of this article is that the NCA-TCRA benchmarking visit exemplifies a crucial regional effort towards developing coherent and effective satellite regulatory policies. Such collaborations are essential for harmonising national approaches, attracting investment, ensuring fair competition, and ultimately delivering reliable and affordable satellite communication services to African populations, thereby contributing to the continent's digital transformation agenda.

Both the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) operate as independent statutory bodies mandated to regulate their respective countries' electronic communications, broadcasting, and postal sectors. The NCA was established by the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769), which repealed and replaced its predecessor, Act 524 of 1996. Its mandate includes licensing and regulating electronic communications activities, promoting fair competition, protecting consumer interests, and managing the radio frequency spectrum. Similarly, the TCRA was established under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act No. 12 of 2003, with responsibilities encompassing licensing, spectrum management, setting standards, and promoting competition and consumer protection across the electronic communications, postal, and broadcasting industries.

The regulatory frameworks governing satellite services in both jurisdictions are rooted in their respective primary legislation. In Ghana, the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), specifically Section 64, empowers the NCA to ensure non-discriminatory and equitable access to the space segment and to allocate frequency bands for electronic communication services utilising satellite systems. Pursuant to this, the NCA has developed a comprehensive Satellite Licensing Framework, outlining policies and rules for frequency authorisations for various satellite services, including Space Segment Satellite Services (such as satellite filings and landing rights for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and Non-FSS) and Earth Segment Satellite Services (like Satellite Gateway Earth Stations and Earth Stations in Motion).

In Tanzania, the Electronic and Postal Communications Act, 2010 (EPCA), provides the overarching legal framework for electronic and postal communications. The TCRA, under this Act, is responsible for issuing licenses and regulating communication systems. The increasing demand for satellite connectivity, particularly for broadband access in rural and underserved areas, has driven both regulators to refine their approaches. This is evident in Ghana's recent approval of SpaceX's Starlink to provide satellite broadband services following the endorsement of its Satellite Licensing Framework in May 2024, positioning Ghana as an early adopter of LEO services. Tanzania has also been proactive, issuing its first guidelines for Direct-to-Mobile Phone Satellite Communication Services and Satellite Landing Rights Authorization in July 2025, demonstrating a forward-looking stance on emerging satellite technologies.

The benchmarking visit between NCA Ghana and TCRA Tanzania highlights several critical areas of satellite services regulation that demand careful consideration from legal professionals. Key aspects include licensing regimes, spectrum management, orbital slot coordination, consumer protection, and the regulation of emerging technologies. Ghana's Satellite Licensing Framework, developed under the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769) and the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), categorises satellite services and specifies licensing requirements and associated fees. This framework has enabled Ghana to approve operators like Starlink, indicating a readiness to integrate advanced satellite broadband solutions.

Tanzania, through its Electronic and Postal Communications Act, 2010, and recent guidelines, has focused on establishing clear procedures for foreign satellite operators. The Guidelines for Satellite Landing Rights Authorization, issued by TCRA in July 2025, mandate that foreign satellite operators selling capacity in Tanzania must apply for authorisation, provide proof of licensing in their home country, and demonstrate compliance with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) coordination procedures. Crucially, these guidelines prohibit direct service provision to end-users by foreign operators, requiring partnerships with licensed local mobile network operators (MNOs). Similarly, Tanzania's Guidelines for the Provision of Direct-to-Mobile Phone Satellite Communication Services, also from July 2025, outline technical, regulatory, and commercial conditions for collaboration between Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) and MNOs, with a strong emphasis on protecting terrestrial IMT operations from interference.

This comparative approach reveals both commonalities and distinct strategies. Both regulators are grappling with the complexities of spectrum management, particularly in non-geostationary orbit (Non-GSO) systems, and the need to prevent harmful interference, aligning with ITU Radio Regulations. Ghana's experience in developing a framework for satellite gateways, prompted by the licensing of OneWeb, demonstrates an adaptive regulatory posture. The Tanzanian approach, with its explicit requirement for local MNO partnerships for direct-to-mobile services and prohibition of direct-to-end-user foreign provision, reflects a strategic choice to leverage existing terrestrial infrastructure and ensure local control and benefit.

Such benchmarking visits are vital for identifying regulatory gaps and contradictions, especially as new technologies like D2D and LEO constellations rapidly evolve. The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and other regional bodies actively promote harmonisation of regulatory practices to overcome national limits in technical expertise and facilitate infrastructure investment. The Algiers Declaration on African Telecommunications Sovereignty and Integrated Connectivity (2026–2030) further underscores the continental commitment to building integrated infrastructure that links terrestrial, subsea, and satellite networks, highlighting the importance of coordinated regulatory efforts. The exchange of experiences in licensing, spectrum allocation, and managing new satellite technologies helps both NCA and TCRA refine their frameworks, ensuring they remain relevant, competitive, and conducive to innovation while safeguarding national interests and consumer welfare.

The benchmarking visit between the NCA Ghana and TCRA Tanzania on satellite services regulation is a testament to the proactive efforts by African regulators to navigate the complexities of a rapidly advancing technological landscape. This collaboration is not merely an academic exercise but a practical step towards developing robust, harmonised, and future-proof regulatory frameworks essential for leveraging satellite technology to achieve universal connectivity and digital transformation across the continent.

For legal practitioners, these developments signal a growing area of specialisation. Attorneys advising clients in the telecommunications sector must possess a deep understanding of national satellite licensing frameworks, spectrum allocation rules, and international obligations, particularly those stemming from ITU regulations. The trend towards regional harmonisation, as evidenced by such benchmarking visits and initiatives by bodies like the ATU, means that cross-jurisdictional regulatory knowledge will become increasingly critical. Practitioners should closely monitor evolving guidelines, especially concerning LEO constellations and direct-to-device services, as these will shape market entry strategies, partnership requirements, and compliance obligations for satellite operators and service providers alike. The ongoing dialogue between regulatory authorities like NCA and TCRA will undoubtedly lead to further refinements in African satellite law, presenting both challenges and opportunities for legal professionals in this dynamic field.