Regional Co-operation in the Telecommunications Sector via CRASA

The document analyzes how CRASA facilitates regional regulatory integration in Southern Africa, highlighting the active role of private sector companies like Vodacom and MTN in government delegations. While CRASA successfully develops model guidelines and supports digital migration, the process is hindered by national incompetencies in transposing regional agreements into law. The study notes that telecommunications is a critical driver of economic growth, though penetration rates vary significantly across the region, with some states lagging due to weak regulatory capacity.

• CRASA serves as an implementing agency for SADC, aiming to harmonise the ICT sector to attract investment and promote economic and social development. It provides a platform for national regulators to discuss policy and acts as an advocate at the SADC Secretariat for industry development needs.
• The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), consisting of CRASA experts, is the primary mechanism for integrating regulatory frameworks. The ECC develops model guidelines for telecommunications and broadcasting and provides a platform for policy debates.
• Private sector companies, including large providers like Vodacom and MTN, actively participate in the harmonisation process by joining government delegations. This is often because national regulators lack the expertise to handle new developments in telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services.
• Regional policy implementation is frequently delayed by national incompetencies in transposing agreements into law and by ongoing services negotiations. For example, while CRASA proposed guidelines for lowering international roaming charges in 2013, no SADC states had yet translated them into national policy.
• There is a significant disparity in telecommunications penetration across the region. While some economies show deep penetration, others lag; for instance, weak regulators in Swaziland correlate with weaker regional participation, whereas the Democratic Republic of Congo shows active participation due to the critical need for mobile penetration.
• The telecommunications sector is a major employer in the region; 2011 data shows employment in telecoms at 7.4% of the labour force in Mauritius, 5.6% in South Africa, and 3% in Botswana.

APA

Bertelsmann-Scott, T. (2013). Regional Co-operation in the Telecommunications Sector via CRASA. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_ps_CS4bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf

Chicago

Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha. Regional Co-operation in the Telecommunications Sector via CRASA. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_ps_CS4bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertelsmann-Scott |first1=Talitha |title=Regional Co-operation in the Telecommunications Sector via CRASA |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_ps_CS4bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertelsmannscott2013regional, author = {Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha}, title = {{Regional Co-operation in the Telecommunications Sector via CRASA}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_ps_CS4bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }