Who Needs to Register Under RICA?
< 1 min read
RICA applies to everyone who uses a mobile SIM in South Africa, regardless of which network or provider they use.
Who must register #
- New prepaid customers
- New contract customers
- Anyone activating an eSIM
- Customers completing certain SIM swaps
- Existing customers asked to update or re-verify their RICA details
South African citizens and foreign nationals #
Both South African citizens and foreign nationals must be registered. The documents required differ — citizens use a South African ID, while foreign nationals use a passport (and, where applicable, a visa or permit).
Businesses and individuals #
RICA applies to SIMs registered to individuals and to companies. In the case of a business, the registration must still be linked to an identifiable, authorised representative.
MVNO customers #
If you are a customer of a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) — a brand that runs on another network’s infrastructure — you are still required to be RICA registered, and this is handled through your MVNO.
This article is for general education and is not legal advice. Always confirm the latest requirements with the relevant regulator or your service provider.