UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ACCESS FUND - FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020/21 - 2024/25

Sep 12, 2026

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The Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) in South Africa presents its five-year strategic plan for 2020/21–2024/25, setting out the mandate, strategic focus, and priority outcomes. The plan is aligned to the National Development Plan and the 2019–2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework priorities, including economic transformation, job creation, and a capable ethical developmental state. It details how USAF will deploy funds to expand ICT infrastructure in underserviced areas and improve access to digital broadcasting services for needy households.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Accounting Authority and Accounting Officer Statement

Strategic alignment and mandate

Medium-term results and performance planning

Official Sign-Off

Development, policy alignment, and certified outcomes

Abbreviations and Acronyms

UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ACCESS FUND FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN for 2020/21 – 2024/25 Page 1 of 40 To obtain additional copies of this document please contact: UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ACCESS AGENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA Office of the Chief Executive Officer Building 1, Thornhill Office Park , 94 Bekker Road, Vorna Valley, Midrand South Africa 1686 Tel: +27 11 564-1600 [Web:](Web: www.usaasa.org.za)[ ](Web: www.usaasa.org.za)[www.usaasa.org.za](Web: www.usaasa.org.za) ACCOUNTING AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER STATEMENT I am pleased to present the Universal Service and Access Fund of South Africa ( USAF) Strategic Plan for the 2020-2025 planning period, outlining the mandate, strategic focus and priorities tobe pursued. This five-year Strategic Plan, in support of the National Development Plan, reflects USAF¶s contribution to strengthening the universal service and access sector, and unlocking its potential to grow the economy, create jobs, and contribute to reduced inequality and reduced poverty. This is in line with the outcome of the 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) to“improve competitiveness through ICT adoption”. The USAF Strategic Plan responds to the following 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework ( MTSF) priorities: 1) Priority 1: Economic transformation and job creation; and 2) Priority 6-A capable, ethical and developmental State. In responding to the above priorities, this Strategic Plan is built from the foundation of a solid assessment of USAF¶s performance in the previous term , both successes and challenges, and on the basis of lessons learnt from the assessment. In terms of Sections 88-89 of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (³Whe ECA´) , the primary mandate and functions of USAASA are to: 1) Utilise the USAF exclusively for the payment of certain subsidies; and 2) Provide incentives to network licensees to construct, operate and maintain networks in underserviced areas. The ECA was amended in 2014, and includes a provision that the Minister, acting with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may prescribe additional uses of money held in the USAF. Informed by this primary mandate, USAF has revisited and reconceptualised its strategic posture and framework in this Strategic Plan, to ensure it is well-articulated and fit for purpose to guide the organisation over the period to 2025. In fulfilling its primary mandate, for the period to 2020-2025, USAF will focus on achieving the following strategic medium-term results, subject to dovetailing with the Digital Development fund: 1) Facilitating the roll-out of adequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services to enable universal access in underserviced areas in South Africa; and 2) Facilitating increased access to digital broadcasting services for needy households in South Africa. To this end, the organisation will put in place effective annual performance plans, which in turn will inform the performance contracts of management and staff. USAF is confident that it will enhance its capability and capacity, and will continue with its ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance systems and outcomes-based reporting in the period. In closing, I affirm my commitment to providing leadership that will develop USAF into a wellresourced entity that is optimally positioned for delivering on its mandate; and realise that this can only be achieved through 100% dedication to the achievement of the strategic intent by the entire USAF team. I acknowledge the continuous support of the Portfolio Committee and the Minister in spurring the entity towards realising its intended impact. While an immense amount of work lies ahead of us in the next five years, we believe that this Strategic Plan reflects the right ideas, plans and resource considerations to ensure achievement of the ambitious plan. I fully endorse this Strategic Plan for the period 2020/21-2024/25, as the

FAQs

What period does the USAF five-year strategic plan cover?

The plan covers the 2020/21 to 2024/25 planning period.

What are USAF’s primary mandates under the Electronic Communications Act?

USAF uses the Fund exclusively for certain subsidies and provides incentives for network licensees to construct, operate, and maintain networks in underserviced areas.

Which medium-term results does USAF focus on for 2020–2025?

USAF focuses on rolling out adequate ICT infrastructure and services for universal access in underserviced areas and increasing access to digital broadcasting services for needy households.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Angel