Navigating Microsoft’s New CSP Requirements: What It Means for Partners in Africa and How 4Sight Can Help

Microsoft recently announced significant changes to its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. These updates place a renewed focus on specialisation, scale, and support infrastructure — criteria many smaller or regional partners may find difficult to meet independently.

These shifts come with unique challenges for partners across Africa and the Middle East/Central Europe region. If you’re navigating this evolving landscape, you’re not alone—and 4Sight Channel Partner Cluster is here to help.

What’s Changing in the CSP Program?

Microsoft is introducing new baseline requirements for Direct CSP Partners, designed to ensure customers receive high-quality service and support. To qualify or remain in the Direct bill partner program, partners must meet the following by January 2026:

• $1 million (USD) in CSP revenue within the past 12 months
• Microsoft Solutions Partner designation (aligned with the Cloud Partner Program)
• Support and Billing capabilities that meet Microsoft’s performance standards
• Implementation of security requirements (e.g., MFA, Secure App Model)

You can learn more about this structure here.

While these requirements aim to elevate the customer experience, they also raise the bar significantly, especially for growing businesses or those operating in emerging markets.

A Regional Complexity: Africa Is Not One CSP Market

Unlike other global regions, Africa is split across CSP markets. For example, South Africa is included in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe (MECEE) region, while several other African countries form a separate “Africa CSP region.”

This means a partner based in South Africa may need to meet revenue and partner designation thresholds across two different markets to qualify as a Direct CSP — an unusually complex challenge when serving clients across the continent.

At 4Sight, we understand this fragmentation and offer a practical route forward through the Microsoft Indirect Reseller model.

How 4Sight Channel Partner Cluster Can Help

At 4Sight Channel Partner Cluster, we operate as a Microsoft Indirect Provider (Distributor), enabling you to resell Microsoft cloud solutions — including Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365 — without the overhead or complexity of going direct.

Here’s what you get when partnering with us:

• A Simplified Route to Market
  Skip the Direct CSP requirements and start selling immediately under our CSP umbrella. No $1 million hurdle. No need to build your own billing platform.

  Become a Microsoft Reseller with 4Sight

• Regional and Local Market Expertise
  We understand the fragmented nature of the African CSP market and have built systems to support cross-border and hybrid-market go-to-market strategies. Whether you’re based in Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia, or South Africa, we’re ready to help you scale.
• Full Partner Enablement
  Our team provides onboarding, training, and sales support to help you launch faster and grow smarter. Explore our Onboarding process and Partner Training programs.
• Partner Profitability and Incentives
  We work with you to build a profitable cloud business, supported by co-selling, incentives, margin programs, and more. Learn how we help drive partner profitability.
• Security and Compliance Support
  We guide you through Microsoft’s evolving security standards and help ensure your deployments meet modern compliance and identity best practices.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s CSP program is evolving — and while the bar is rising, there’s also a huge opportunity for those who align with the right ecosystem. For many partners across Africa and the surrounding regions, partnering with an Indirect Provider like 4Sight is the fastest, safest, and most scalable path forward.

Ready to make the shift? Let’s talk about how 4Sight Channel Partner Cluster can help you meet your goals without missing a beat.