Every contractor wishing to undertake construction work in Kenya — whether on private or public projects — must register with the National Construction Authority (NCA), established under the NCA Act No. 41 of 2011. Contractors are classified from NCA1 (the highest, covering unlimited-value projects) to NCA8 (the lowest, limited to projects not exceeding KES 10 million). Foreign contractors may only register at the NCA1 level.
Non-payment of annual licence fees for two consecutive years results in removal from the NCA register under Section 25 of the NCA Act.
NCA Contractor Registration Fee Summary Table
| Category | Registration Fee (KES) | Annual Licence Renewal (KES) | Max Project Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCA 1 | 100,000 | 30,000 | Unlimited |
| NCA 2 | 75,000 | 25,000 | KES 500M+ |
| NCA 3 | 50,000 | 20,000 | KES 200M–500M |
| NCA 4 | 25,000 | 15,000 | KES 100M–200M |
| NCA 5 | 20,000 | 12,000 | KES 50M–100M |
| NCA 6 | 15,000 | 10,000 | KES 20M–50M |
| NCA 7 | 10,000 | 5,000 | KES 10M–20M |
| NCA 8 | 5,000 | 2,500 | Up to KES 10M |
| Foreign Contractors (NCA 1 only) | 343,000 | 206,000 | Unlimited |
Fees introduced in June 2023. Applications are submitted through the NCA eCitizen portal.
Key Requirements
Applicants must submit a Certificate of Incorporation or business registration, a KRA Tax Compliance Certificate, CVs and academic certificates for technically qualified directors and staff, proof of an active bank account, and relevant professional or trade certificates depending on the specialisation category (Building Works, Roads, Water, Mechanical/Electrical, or Specialist Works).
