Connectivity crisis ignored by govt, Rundu councillor says
Many still lack internet access
National analysis has revealed that the digital divide remains pronounced across Namibia's remote regions.
Rundu rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu has criticised the ministry of information for what he says is a persistent pattern of ignoring critical ICT infrastructure gaps in Kunene, Kavango East and Kavango West.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day workshop on communication for transparency and impact in Rundu this week, Mbangu took aim at the ministry’s last four national budget statements, saying they remain silent on how government intends to tackle digital inequality in these regions.
"In 2021, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) submitted its position paper to the ministry in line with a Cabinet decision. In that report, Cran pointed out that 1 400 schools do not have connectivity," Mbangu said.
He added that the gap analysis done by CRAN shows that the Kunene and both Kavango regions have the poorest network coverage in the country.
"But in the budget statement of the ministry for the past four years, there is no mention of how it intends to address those gaps. We are yet to be told how much has been budgeted for Kunene, Kavango West and Kavango East to bring them on par with other regions," he said.
Data already on the table
According to Cran’s analysis, the digital divide continues to run deep across Namibia’s remote regions, with large portions of the population unable to access basic internet services or government online platforms.
Despite this, Mbangu argued, the ministry has not presented a clear roadmap or dedicated budget to close the gap.
“Start to develop ICT infrastructure in Kavango East, Kavango West and Kunene region,” he said, referencing the late US diplomat Henry Kissinger. “If you don’t know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.”
He urged the ministry to adopt evidence-based planning and to stop overlooking underserved areas.
Ministry response vague
In his keynote address, ministry executive director Dr Audrin Mathe did not respond directly to the concerns raised, but highlighted government’s vision for a more inclusive digital future.
“The single gateway portal envisioned in our national digital strategy represents more than a technical achievement. It embodies our commitment to citizen-centred service delivery,” he said.
Mathe acknowledged that digital divides threaten to exclude vulnerable communities but offered no specifics on how connectivity will be expanded in the regions highlighted by Mbangu.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day workshop on communication for transparency and impact in Rundu this week, Mbangu took aim at the ministry’s last four national budget statements, saying they remain silent on how government intends to tackle digital inequality in these regions.
"In 2021, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) submitted its position paper to the ministry in line with a Cabinet decision. In that report, Cran pointed out that 1 400 schools do not have connectivity," Mbangu said.
He added that the gap analysis done by CRAN shows that the Kunene and both Kavango regions have the poorest network coverage in the country.
"But in the budget statement of the ministry for the past four years, there is no mention of how it intends to address those gaps. We are yet to be told how much has been budgeted for Kunene, Kavango West and Kavango East to bring them on par with other regions," he said.
Data already on the table
According to Cran’s analysis, the digital divide continues to run deep across Namibia’s remote regions, with large portions of the population unable to access basic internet services or government online platforms.
Despite this, Mbangu argued, the ministry has not presented a clear roadmap or dedicated budget to close the gap.
“Start to develop ICT infrastructure in Kavango East, Kavango West and Kunene region,” he said, referencing the late US diplomat Henry Kissinger. “If you don’t know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.”
He urged the ministry to adopt evidence-based planning and to stop overlooking underserved areas.
Ministry response vague
In his keynote address, ministry executive director Dr Audrin Mathe did not respond directly to the concerns raised, but highlighted government’s vision for a more inclusive digital future.
“The single gateway portal envisioned in our national digital strategy represents more than a technical achievement. It embodies our commitment to citizen-centred service delivery,” he said.
Mathe acknowledged that digital divides threaten to exclude vulnerable communities but offered no specifics on how connectivity will be expanded in the regions highlighted by Mbangu.
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