During the weekend’s launch of a new MTC Namibia tower in Kunene’s Epupa constituency, Emilia Nghikembua, CEO of Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority, emphasized that infrastructure alone does not drive change; widespread device adoption is essential for realizing the full benefits of connectivity.
Her remarks followed revelations from MTC Namibia, the country’s state-owned mobile operator, highlighting that less than 50 percent of its 4G towers in the Kunene region are actively used. The low uptake is attributed mainly to the high cost of 4G-enabled devices, which hampers community engagement and limits the potential for digital development in the area.
Mercia Geises, acting chairperson of MTC’s board, pointed out that the company has approximately 74 4G towers in Kunene, yet utilization remains underwhelming. “While we have the infrastructure in place, the challenge now is how to encourage communities to adopt and utilize these services,” she said. She urged local leaders and the government to collaborate with the telco to maximize the value of these investments, emphasizing that underutilized towers represent missed opportunities for economic growth and social development.
Similarly, Emma Theofelus, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, distributed 100 mobile phones from the Universal Service Fund during the event, prioritizing top-performing students at Ehomba Combined School. “Having a tower is meaningless if the community cannot access or use it,” she remarked, underscoring the importance of device affordability and community engagement.
In response to these challenges, Nghikembua proposed tax breaks and incentives aimed at encouraging local residents to acquire 4G devices, which could accelerate adoption and, consequently, support Namibia’s broader digital transformation goals. As the country seeks to bridge the digital divide, stakeholders agree that fostering device usage is vital to unlocking the economic and social benefits of connectivity.
