Staff Reporter
THE Zambezi Region will soon experience enhanced internet connectivity as PowerCom Towers are set to be constructed in various places in the region, starting with Ikumwe.
This was announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, during the groundbreaking ceremony for a PowerCom Tower in Ikumwe.
Theofelus highlighted the ministry’s committed efforts to bridge the country’s digital divide, with plans to construct additional towers in Nakabolelwa, Mutikila, and other areas of the Zambezi Region to improve access to information and communication technology.
“You will now have improved connectivity, which should translate to enhanced economic growth and greater regional integration. Indeed, given Ikumwe’s proximity to the border, we believe that the tower will be the catalyst for your development as an economic hub that will strengthen business links with our esteemed neighbours,” she said.
Theofelus also underscored the critical importance of digital connectivity, emphasising that the digital divide has long been a significant barrier for students in underserved communities, impacting their academic performance, future employability, and economic mobility.
She pointed out that the lack of digital connectivity has also negatively affected healthcare, as the absence of telemedicine and digital health services in rural and remote areas has exacerbated health inequalities. According to her, the soon-to-be-constructed towers are expected to provide reliable connectivity, ensuring timely and potentially life-saving interventions, support, and services.
“It is our goal, as your government, to ensure that no part of Namibia has difficulty accessing mainstream services because of its distance from the capital city, Windhoek, or your regional offices. Having the tower here will make that goal a reality,” Theofelus added.
