Also known as: Cran · Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia — Namibia's telecommunications regulator that licenses operators, manages spectrum, and oversees digital security and network modernization.
The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia has confirmed that the INC Ransom cybercriminal group was responsible for last week's attack on Namibia Airports Company, claiming to have exfiltrated approximately 500GB of data including financial records, HR information, and customer details. This is the second Namibian entity targeted by the group after an attack on Otjiwarongo municipality last year.
The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia has confirmed that the INC Ransom cybercriminal group was responsible for last week's attack on Namibia Airports Company, claiming to have exfiltrated approximately 500GB of data including financial records, HR information, and customer details. This is the second Namibian entity targeted by the group after an attack on Otjiwarongo municipality last year.
The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) disclosed a cybersecurity breach detected on 6 March involving unauthorised network access, though airport services have been restored and there is no confirmed data theft. The incident prompted the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team to issue a public advisory and call on all organisations to strengthen cyber resilience through enhanced security measures.
Namibia's active SIM card subscriptions rose to 2.788 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 2.674 million in Q3, driven largely by a 5% increase in prepaid services, according to communications regulator Cran. Mobile broadband subscriptions grew 4%, while fixed-line subscriptions continued to decline.
Namibia's cybersecurity team detected 535,204 cyber vulnerabilities during October–December 2025, a 4.28% decrease from the previous quarter, though phishing scams and ransomware threats remain persistent concerns. The team has identified emerging ransomware groups and emphasises the need for continued vigilance in protecting critical infrastructure.
Following a cybersecurity incident at Namibia Airports Company, the Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia has urged organisations to tighten security by implementing robust controls, enforcing governance policies, activating multifactor authentication, and conducting continuous cybersecurity awareness training.
Namibia Airports Company detected a cybersecurity incident on 6 March 2026 involving unauthorised access to network infrastructure and administrative accounts. Services have been restored with limited operational impact, and there is no evidence of data exfiltration, though investigations continue; NAM-CSIRT and NAC are working together to enhance security resilience.
CRAN has authorised four local providers—Echo Namibia, Oblixx, RocketNet, and Blue Technologies—to operate LEO satellite internet services via OneWeb, bringing broadband-quality connectivity to rural areas as traditional telecommunications infrastructure deteriorates. Farmers and remote communities are key beneficiaries, with providers offering tailored packages and cost-effective options including hardware rental and collaborative arrangements.
The Legal 500 and law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr hosted the first GC Powerlist: Namibia 2026 ceremony, honouring over 50 general counsel and in-house legal professionals for their role in shaping corporate governance and navigating complex regulatory frameworks across finance, mining, energy, and other sectors.
The rapid acceleration of oil and gas discoveries in Namibia is creating significant challenges for the legal sector, particularly general counsel who must navigate licensing, local content obligations, joint ventures and cross-border risks while balancing economic opportunity with environmental and social commitments. A CDH managing partner stressed that general counsel must ensure governance frameworks are robust enough to handle the complexity of these developments while maintaining environmental protection and community engagement.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) and Hulina Offshore Energy have partnered to launch a two-year national awareness campaign addressing electronic waste and plastic pollution, combining public education, community collection drives, and policy development to promote responsible disposal practices aligned with Namibia's Extended Producer Responsibility framework.