[27 April 2026] Revised five-year strategic plans for the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) and the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) have been published.
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[23 February 2026] It’s on again. The Draft USAF Manual has been republished for comment.
Written submissions are due by 25 March 2026. These can be marked for the attention of the USAASA CEO and sent by email to usaf-manual@usaasa.org.za or ceo@usaasa.org.za Submissions should be clearly marked: ‘Draft USAF Manual – Public Comments’.
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[26 November 2026] USAASA has withdrawn the draft manual, apparently due to inadequate pre-consultation with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. This is expected to be temporary.
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[25 November 2025] The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published a draft Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) Manual for comment.
The draft manual is divided into two volumes:
- Volume 1: Policy Framework and Funding Principles outlining the policy context, objectives, funding priorities, subsidy principles, and the criteria used to determine USAF-supported interventions.
- Volume 2: Operating Guidelines and Implementation Procedures detailed operational processes, application procedures, compliance requirements, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the governance model that will guide USAF implementation.
Submissions are due by 23h59 on 24 December 2025 and these can be emailed to usaf-manual@usaasa.org.za.
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[26 April 2025] The Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) has published its
- Strategic Plan for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030 and
- Annual Performance Plan for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published its Strategic Plan for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.
Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa Strategic Plan 2026-2030
Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) Strategic Plan 2026-2030
Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) Annual Performance Plan 2025/26
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[4 May 2018] USAASA 2018-2019 Annual Performance Plan Presentation
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[20 April 2016] USAASA 2017-2021 Strategic Plan
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[5 November 2015]
Universal Service And Access Agency of South Africa Annual Report 2014/15 (32MB)
USAF Annual Report 2014/15 (28 MB)
USAASA USAF Annual Report 2014/15 Presentation
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The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) was established to ensure that all South Africans have access to digital communications and technologies that foster inclusivity by bridging the existing digital divide. USAASA’s mandate is “to promote universal service and universal access in underserviced areas”.
As part of this mandate, USAASA administers the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF), a key resource dedicated to funding initiatives that extend communication infrastructure to underserviced and remote areas, making digital services accessible to all citizens, irrespective of their geographical location or socio-economic status.
All ECNS and ECS licensees make an annual contribution to the USAF.
USAASA/USAF draws its legislative mandates from Sections 80-91 of the Electronic Communications Act 2005, which indicates that the primary mandate and functions of USAASA are, among others, to:
- Provide policy and regulatory advice to both the Minister and the sector regulator on any matter relating to universal access and universal service.
- Manage USAF in accordance with the provisions of the ECA and strive to promote the goal of universal access and universal service.
- Encourage, facilitate and offer guidance in respect of any scheme to provide universal service and access, services or telecommunication services;
- Foster the adoption of innovation, specifically the use of new methods of attaining universal access and universal service;
- Make recommendations to enable the Minister to determine what constitutes universal access, universal service and underserviced areas
- Conduct research into and keep abreast of developments in the Republic and elsewhere on ICT, electronic communications services and electronic communications facilities; and
- Continually survey (monitor) and evaluate the extent to which universal access and service have been achieved.
The main aim of USAASA is to promote universal access to telecommunications and digital services, especially in underserviced and rural communities.