(Ecofin Agency) - • Government sets goal of full telecoms access by 2030, backed by $8 million fund
• Priority regions include Karas, Kavango West, Omaheke, and Kunene
• Around 12% of population still lacks 4G access; digital barriers remain

The Namibian authorities have identified digital transformation as a priority to support socio-economic development. However, part of the population currently lacks access to telecom services.

Audrin Mathe, Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), announced on Tuesday, June 3, that the Namibian government is targeting 100% telecoms coverage by 2030. Mathe conveyed this ambition during a visit to the headquarters of public operator Telecom Namibia.

The discussions centered on strengthening their collaboration to expand and modernize the historic operator's network infrastructure in order to meet growing connectivity demand. Several critical projects were discussed, including the implementation of the OSS/BSS management system, the development of fixed-mobile network core, the deployment of fiber to the home (FTTX), and the extension of the radio access network (RAN). Particular emphasis was placed on the coverage of Karas, Kavango West, Omaheke, and Kunene regions.

This announcement follows the launch of the Universal Service Fund (USF) in March last year, which received an initial endowment of 145 million Namibian dollars (around $8 million) aimed at financing the extension of telecoms services in many undeveloped rural areas.

Official data shows that around 360,000 Namibians, approximately 12% of the population, were not covered by the 4G network as of February 2024. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 3G coverage was at 89%, while 2G already covered the entire territory. The country does not yet have an active commercial 5G network. This digital divide also affects essential services: 339 schools and 50 health centers are still deprived of adequate connectivity.

If the goals of universal coverage are met, every Namibian will be able to connect to the network and access telecom services. However, the mere availability of a network does not guarantee effective adoption of these services. Several barriers still exist, including limited access to suitable devices like smartphones, high cost of services, and a lack of digital skills among the population. For now, the International Telecommunication Union estimates that internet penetration stands at 62.2% in Namibia, versus 79.6% for mobile telephony.