Guides · Updated 20 October 2026
Licences and paperwork for a WiFi hotspot or ISP business in Kenya
Selling internet is a regulated business in Kenya. Most small hotspot and PPPoE operators start informally and sort the paperwork later, which is risky: a landlord, a school or a bank will ask for documents, and the Communications Authority and the Data Commissioner both have powers to fine. This is the order we recommend, written from our own filings. It is a guide, not legal advice.
1. KRA PIN
Free on iTax and usually same day. Use a personal PIN as a sole proprietor, or a company PIN once you register a limited company. You need it for almost everything below.
2. Register the business
Register a business name or a limited company on eCitizen (Business Registration Service). A limited company costs more but separates the business from you personally, and schools, estates and offices often prefer to contract with one.
3. County single business permit
Apply at your county. The fee depends on the county and the size of the business. Renew it every year.
4. M-Pesa till or paybill
Apply to Safaricom for a Buy Goods till or a paybill in the business name. A paybill lets PPPoE customers pay with an account number.
5. Register with the Data Commissioner (ODPC)
An ISP holds customers' phone numbers, device addresses and payment records, so it must register as a data controller with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It is done online at the ODPC data portal. For a micro or small business the fee starts at KSh 4,000. Register early; it is cheap and the Data Protection Act carries real penalties.
6. Communications Authority licence
Providing internet to the public needs a licence from the Communications Authority of Kenya. For a small operator working in one county, the Micro Network and Service Provider (MNSP) licence covers both the network and the service. At the time of writing it has an application fee of KSh 2,000, an initial fee of KSh 25,000, and a yearly fee of KSh 25,000 or 0.4% of turnover, whichever is higher. Operators in more counties need a larger licence. Check the current fees and forms with the Communications Authority before you apply.
7. The internet line and equipment
- Use a business internet plan. Many home plans forbid reselling.
- Buy routers and access points that are type-approved for Kenya from reputable sellers.
8. Tax
File returns for the business on iTax. Small businesses usually fall under turnover tax, and VAT applies once turnover passes the VAT threshold. Your billing system's payment reports give you the monthly totals you need; ask an accountant which tax applies to you.
A practical order
- KRA PIN, business registration and an M-Pesa till: enough to start selling.
- County permit and ODPC registration in the first month.
- The Communications Authority licence as soon as you are selling to the public regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to run a WiFi hotspot in Kenya?
Yes, providing internet to the public commercially needs a licence from the Communications Authority. Small operators in one county can apply for the Micro Network and Service Provider licence.
Does a hotspot business need to register with ODPC?
Yes. A hotspot collects customers' phone numbers and device details, so it should register as a data controller with the Data Commissioner.
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