The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) Manual under section 82(4)(d) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005.
The Manual establishes a strategic and administrative framework for managing the Fund, covering subsidies provided under section 88 of the Act and project grants awarded under section 90(1). USAASA said detailed procedural guidelines on applications and payments will be issued separately under section 88(1A).
The framework aims to promote equitable access to electronic communications and broadcasting services while supporting schools, further education and training institutions and community access centres. It also focuses on transparent and sustainable use of public funds with measurable development outcomes.
Project grants will be guided by principles including transparency, competition, value for money, technology neutrality, performance-based funding, sustainability, risk management, legal compliance, SME support and coordination with other national and sectoral initiatives.
Grants will be awarded through competitive processes, including least-subsidy approaches, and linked to defined outputs and milestones. The Manual also establishes requirements around asset ownership, operation and maintenance after subsidy support ends.
USAASA will administer the Fund and oversee governance, reporting and funding processes. Once the Manual is finalised, the Agency will issue procedural guidelines and manage subsidy processes while publicly disclosing funding allocations, beneficiaries and project performance, subject to applicable law.
