Noordoewer, Hakiesdoorn earmarked for new telecoms towers

Keetmanshoop Mayor Emrico Blaauw has welcomed an announcement by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, that two sites have been identified for telecommunications tower construction in the ǁKharas Region during the current financial year.

“I am pleased to highlight the planned developments at Noordoewer and Hakiesdoorn in the Karasburg West constituency through the Universal Access and Service Fund. This infrastructure will contribute to improving network coverage and expanding access to reliable communication services in these areas,” Theofelus said at a high-level ICT regional engagement hosted at Hendrik Tseib Hall in Keetmanshoop on Friday.

Bridging the digital divide - Blaauw said the digital divide between urban centres and rural communities remained a major concern particularly in underserved and unserved areas. He emphasised that information and communication technology (ICT) was no longer simply a supporting sector but had become a fundamental driver of economic growth, innovation, competitiveness and inclusive development. “We must ensure that our people, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable and affordable communication services,” he said.

The minister emphasised that Telecom's infrastructure, rural connectivity, access to digital services, and investments in the ICT sector are not separate developmental issues. "They form part of a broader picture of how we enable this region and other regions to achieve the goals we have set ourselves out in NDP6. Our ambition is to achieve 100% population coverage by 2030. This requires practical action, strategic investment, and strong partnerships at the regional level," Theofelus said.

She stated that expanding connectivity could not be achieved through government efforts alone and stressed the need for a collaborative approach that considers the region's economic activities, communities and development priorities. “ICT development in the ǁKharas Region requires deliberate collaboration with telecommunications operators, businesses, local authorities and, of course, the communities we serve. We must understand where infrastructure currently exists, where the gaps remain and what investments are needed to ensure that connectivity keeps pace with the region's development,” she said.

Theofelus added that the government needed to support and facilitate progress in areas where private investment was already planned. "Constructing a telecommunications tower could cost between N$2.8 million and N$3.5 million, depending on its location and infrastructure requirements. Where connectivity gaps remain, targeted interventions can be made through the Universal Access and Service Fund, established under the Communications Act to support the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in areas that are not commercially viable,” she said.

Unlocking potential - Blaauw highlighted the ǁKharas Region's unique economic and geographical characteristics, pointing to opportunities in tourism, mining, agriculture, logistics and cross-border trade. “Strengthening digital connectivity and ICT infrastructure can significantly contribute to unlocking the potential of these sectors and positioning our region to benefit from the opportunities presented by the digital economy,” he said.

Theofelus agreed that infrastructure expansion needed to be accompanied by efforts to ensure that rural communities benefited from improved connectivity. “For someone living in a rural settlement, accessing information or government services can sometimes mean travelling to a larger town. A young person may need the internet to research an assignment, apply for an opportunity or develop a digital skill. A small business owner may need connectivity to reach customers, access information or participate in the wider economy,” she said.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of ICT has established rural ICT centres. The ǁKharas Region has two such centres, located in Tses and Aroab. Theofelus said the centres provided communities with access to services such as photocopying, internet facilities and ICT literacy training. She added that greater cooperation among stakeholders was needed to ensure young people could fully benefit from digital skills development and improved infrastructure.

The minister said Namibia's ICT development should not be measured solely by the number of telecommunications towers constructed or facilities established. “It should also be reflected in whether a business can operate more efficiently, whether a young person can apply for a passport online through the e-government services already available, whether young people can access digital opportunities beyond the ǁKharas Region, whether rural communities can access essential services more easily and whether the region's economic activities can benefit from reliable connectivity,” she said.