Public Interest SA Submits Policy Input on Proposed B-BBEE Direction in the ICT Sector
- Digital Comms Team
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Durban, South Africa, Saturday, 05 July 2025 — Public Interest SA has formally submitted its comments yesterday on the Draft Policy Direction issued by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) regarding Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) in the ICT sector.
Gazetted on 23 May 2025, the Proposed Policy Direction seeks to harmonise the B-BBEE regulatory framework with the ICT Sector Code and to accelerate investment in broadband infrastructure, particularly to benefit historically disadvantaged and marginalised communities.
Public Interest SA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing ethical governance, social justice, and economic inclusion, has welcomed the Minister’s initiative in principle. However, it has called for greater clarity, consistency, and enforceability in the application of equity equivalent investment programmes intended to substitute for direct equity ownership by multinational ICT operators.
The submission emphasises three critical areas:
1. Equity equivalent investment programmes must make a meaningful and measurable contribution to both B-BBEE and the development of the ICT sector, and must not become mere formalistic compliance mechanisms.
2. Equity equivalence should be available to all licensees, both local and multinational, to ensure regulatory fairness, avoid preferential treatment, and uphold the principle of general application foundational to constitutional and administrative law.
3. Effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms must be instituted by ICASA to ensure that all operators — especially multinational entities with limited domestic footprints — comply fully with empowerment obligations and do not exploit regulatory loopholes.
Commenting on the submission, Public Interest SA Chairperson, Mr. Tebogo Khaas, stated:
“South Africa’s ICT sector has a critical role to play in realising inclusive economic growth and democratic development. It is essential that our regulatory framework enables meaningful transformation, equitable participation, and consistent enforcement. We trust that our submission will contribute constructively to refining the policy direction and strengthening accountability in this vital sector.”
Public Interest SA reiterates its commitment to promoting transparency and equity in digital governance and urges all stakeholders to uphold the public interest in shaping a future-proof and inclusive digital economy.
📄 Download Public Interest SA’s full submission here:
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Public Interest SA Communications Office
Email: media@publicinterest.org.za
Tel: +27 (0)10 005 5884
