Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NAMIBIA and Botswana have strengthened their digital partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cooperation in information and communication technology, with a focus on digital transformation, cybersecurity, connectivity and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agreement was signed in Kasane by Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, and Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration in areas including ICT infrastructure, affordable and reliable connectivity, innovation, digital skills development and cybersecurity, while reinforcing the two countries’ commitment to regional integration, economic growth and improved public service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Implementation of the agreement will involve close cooperation between the two countries’ ICT ministries, mobile network operators, designated postal operators and communications regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The signing also provided an opportunity for the two countries to review progress on decisions taken during the Namibia-Botswana Bi-National Commission held in Windhoek in October 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Botswana’s Ministry of Communications and Innovation, the agreement builds on a long-standing partnership between the neighbouring countries, which have jointly advanced regional and international ICT initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Namibia was among the first Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to significantly reduce mobile roaming charges with Botswana, helping to facilitate cross-border communication, trade and regional integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two countries are also connected through key telecommunications infrastructure, including the Trans-Kalahari Fibre and Botswana Kalahari Fibre routes, while Botswana continues to access international broadband capacity through Namibia’s West Africa Cable System (WACS) landing station in Swakopmund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking ahead of the signing, Tshere said the two countries would continue expanding cooperation into new areas shaped by global technological developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The two countries will continue expanding sectoral areas of mutual interest to incorporate new areas of cooperation in the field of ICT,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The partnership is expected to support Botswana’s ambition of developing a knowledge-based digital economy while strengthening regional digital connectivity across the SADC region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Namibian delegation included the Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, as well as senior officials from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), MTC, Telecom Namibia and NamPost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo: Ministry of Information and Communication Technology – Republic of Namibia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter NAMIBIA and Botswana have strengthened their digital partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cooperation in information and communication technology, with a focus on digital transformation, cybersecurity, connectivity and emerging technologies. The agreement was signed in Kasane by Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, and Botswana’s …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":399039,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-399038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n