WINDHOEK, Jan. 29 — Namibia is resetting its national broadband policy, with new targets set to take effect from October 2026, as the government seeks to boost internet speeds and expand digital economic activity, an official said on Thursday.
Speaking at a high-level engagement in the Kunene Region, Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus said the review of the National Broadband Policy has been finalized and will introduce higher performance targets aimed at improving downloads, online transactions, and digital services across sectors.
She said faster broadband is increasingly critical as young people become the most active internet users, particularly in e-commerce, gaming, and the growing creative industry.
Improved connectivity, she added, will enable content creators and small businesses to promote products and services more effectively and access wider markets.
The broadband reset forms part of broader government efforts to modernize digital infrastructure and reduce the digital divide, especially in underserved regions such as Kunene, which has some of the lowest ICT coverage in the country.
Theofelus said improved broadband performance will support economic participation and access to information for rural and marginalized communities.
She said the broadband reforms align with Namibia’s National Development Plan Six, which prioritizes digital transformation as a driver of inclusive growth, innovation, and improved public service delivery.
Namibia’s broadband access is largely driven by mobile networks, while fixed broadband remains limited and internet speeds uneven, particularly outside major urban centers.
According to recent data, internet penetration stands at about 64 percent of the population, with nearly two million Namibians online as of early 2025, highlighting persistent connectivity gaps in rural areas and the need for upgraded broadband targets. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
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