Regional co-operation in the telecommunications sector via CRASA

This case study examines the telecommunications sector in Southern Africa and the role that the Communications Regulators’ Association Southern Africa (CRASA) plays in encouraging policy harmonisation between member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The paper indicates that CRASA is an implementing agency of SADC. It aims to harmonise the information and communications technologies (ICT) sector in SADC in order to maximise the benefits the sector can offer to economic growth and social development.

The document demonstrates that CRASA is an intergovernmental organisation, and company-level participation therefore has to occur via government delegations. The author illustrates that large telecommunication companies participate actively within the policy harmonisation process, and their participation has a positive impact on the region and sets a certain standard for other industries.

The paper highlights the digital migration policy in SADC as an example case where CRASA has played an active and driving role in ensuring that the region is on board and on track to implement the new policy.

Key points include:

• apart from the national level, CRASA is the next level at which policy formulation has direct influence
• that is why the private sector will continuously aim to access, influence and inform delegations to CRASA, regardless of its economic clout and position within the region

The author concludes that the keen interest of the private sector in CRASA and its outcomes to a certain extent validates regional processes, which has a positive impact on functional regional integration.