The Online Guide to the Namibian Economy
The Online Guide to the
Namibian Economy
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The Online Guide to the
Namibian Economy
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Information and Communications Technology
At a policy level, Namibia has always recognised the importance of ICT and has rapidly adopted new mobile telecoms and other technology. Two commercial public enterprises play a key role in the sector but there are up-and-coming private players too.
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Other Public Agencies
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is the key policy-making institution for the industry headed by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, since 9 February 2024 the Honourable Emma Theofelus. The Ministry published a National Broadband Policy in 2020. The telecoms and postal sectors are regulated by a public enterprise the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) responsible for regulating the telecoms services and networks including broadcasting, postal services and the full radio spectrum. CRAN produces a useful annual ICT Sector Market Report and quarterly statistics.
Government plays a direct role in providing telecoms and postal services to the economy. A holding company, Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (NPTH), holds 60.1% in Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) which became the first public enterprise to list on the Namibian Stock Exchange in November 2021, 100% of Telecom Namibia (which offers fixed and mobile services) and 100% of NamPost. MTC dominates Namibia’s mobile telephony sector. Legislation has been passed which would do away with NPTH but it has not yet been enacted.
Private Sector
Namibia’s telecoms sector is dominated by state-owned players but they have no statutory monopoly. There are in total 67 licenced telecoms operators of which 37 hold licences for comprehensive telecoms services. Paratus Namibia is one such company. Starting in Namibia it listed on the main board of the NSX in 2020 and has grown to the extent where is has a presence in 22 countries in Africa. Namibia is connected to the intercontinental West Africa Cable System connecting the UK to South Africa with 14 landing points including one in Swakopmund. Namibia is connected to Google’s Equiano submarine cable system with six landing points including one in Swakopmund.