Also known as: Cran · Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia — regulatory body managing digital infrastructure, public key infrastructure, universal service fund, and digital transformation initiatives in Namibia.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
Windhoek Observer
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)dismissed all applications seeking reconsideration ofits decision to reject Starlink Internet Services Namibia licence applications
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“The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all applications seeking reconsideration of its decision to reject the licence applications of Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, reaffirming that the company failed to comply with the country's communications laws.”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibiarecommends that affected organisationsreview firewall configurations and conduct security reviews
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“Cran recommends that they review their firewall configurations for unauthorised changes and conduct reviews to identify any compromises to their systems.”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibiamade a decision not to issuespectrum and service licenses
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“One of more than 5 600 people who signed a petition urging the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) to reconsider its decision not to issue spectrum and service li...”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)has received624 applications for reconsideration following its licence decision
Source
“The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has received 624 applications for reconsideration following its decision on the licence application submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd.”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)received624 applications for reconsideration following its decision on Starlink licence application
Source
“THE Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has received 624 applications for reconsideration following its decision on the licence application submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, the regulator confirmed on Monday.”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran)received624 applications requesting reconsideration of Starlink licence decision
Source
“The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has received 624 applications from the public and interested stakeholders requesting it to reconsider its decision on the licence application submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd.”
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran)published proposed increases to regulatory levies and licensing feesfor both telecommunication and broadcasting companies in the Government Gazette of 24 April
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“This comes after the authority published proposed increases to regulatory levies and licensing fees for both telecommunication and broadcasting companies in the Government Gazette of 24 April.”
Cransays that it consideredthe financial position of small radio broadcasters in its new proposal for regulatory levies
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“The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) says that it considered the financial position of small radio broadcasters in its new proposal for regulatory levies.”
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu unveiled Namibia's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), called DigiNam, designed to enable secure digital identification, authentication and transactions for citizens, businesses and government. The system uses digital certificates and cryptographic keys to verify signatories and document integrity, with the Communications Regulatory Authority serving as the Root Certification Authority.
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu unveiled Namibia's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), called DigiNam, designed to enable secure digital identification, authentication and transactions for citizens, businesses and government. The system uses digital certificates and cryptographic keys to verify signatories and document integrity, with the Communications Regulatory Authority serving as the Root Certification Authority.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been accredited by Cran as Namibia's first certification service provider, allowing it to issue and manage digital certificates for online identity verification and government services. The accreditation, granted under the Electronic Transactions Act and 2025 regulations, is valid for four years and supports the rollout of Namibia's national public key infrastructure and e-ID services.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has launched DigiNam, a digital trust system enabling Namibians to use verified digital identities and electronic signatures to sign documents and access services online. The system, backed by the Electronic Transactions Act of 2019, supports government services, contract signing, banking, business registration, customer verification, and health or education records management.
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti challenged Namibian entrepreneurs to expand beyond the domestic market of three million people and pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa using technology. The article's author, while agreeing with the ambition, questions whether Namibia has the foundational business infrastructure—competitive companies, proper capitalization, technological capability, and consistent delivery—necessary for successful regional expansion.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and NORED Electricity signed a five-year non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on rural broadband connectivity, electrification initiatives, and capacity building to support Namibia's digital transformation and socio-economic development.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Ballotti told entrepreneurs at a CRAN breakfast in Oshakati that Namibia's small population should not limit business ambitions, urging them to use digital technology to pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Digital platforms and services now allow businesses to serve clients beyond their physical location, though regional expansion requires capital, market knowledge, logistics, payment systems and regulatory compliance.
Deputy minister Dino Ballotti told entrepreneurs in Oshakati that Namibia's three-million population should not limit ambitions, and urged them to use digital platforms and technology to target customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
SQL injection, a web vulnerability allowing attackers to manipulate databases through malicious commands inserted into login forms and search boxes, continues to expose organisations globally to data theft and operational disruption despite being well-understood for over two decades. Its persistence is attributed to weaknesses in security implementation, governance, and software development practices rather than lack of available defences.
MTC told parliament's ICT committee that government should subsidise smartphones before 2G and 3G networks are phased out, to prevent customers being left without compatible devices as the frequencies are reassigned to 4G and 5G.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia and the Namibia Public Workers Union signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 12 August 2026 providing for a five percent wage increase for employees in the bargaining unit for the 2026/2027 financial year, following wage negotiations concluded on 27 July 2026.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) established a Universal Service Fund in March 2025 with approximately N$135 million allocated over three years to enhance digital connectivity by subsidising radio access network infrastructure. The fund supports the National Broadband Policy's goal of bringing internet speeds of at least 2 Mbps to 80% of the population, beginning with public spaces including schools, libraries, hospitals, and clinics.
Africa Online and Radio Electronic have signed a letter of intent to explore using OneWeb low Earth orbit satellite technology to improve connectivity in Namibia's rural and remote areas. The companies will assess the technical, commercial and operational feasibility of using satellite technology to complement existing telecommunications infrastructure in sectors including agriculture, mining, tourism, education, healthcare, logistics and government.
Namibia and Botswana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen digital partnership, focusing on digital transformation, cybersecurity, connectivity, and emerging technologies. The agreement, signed by the countries' respective ICT ministers, establishes a framework for collaboration in ICT infrastructure, innovation, digital skills development, and cybersecurity.
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to advance digital transformation, strengthen cybersecurity, and support businesses in Namibia's digital economy through cooperation in areas including Public Key Infrastructure, e-trade facilitation, and digital literacy.
Namibia's home affairs ministry is promoting a new electronic ID document with a 10-year expiry date, set for rollout in September. The expiry requirement—unlike the indefinite lifespan of the old ID—is designed to ensure facial recognition accuracy over time, and the e-ID will include security features such as a chip, thumbprint, and PIN.
Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate says rural and marginalised communities, particularly the San population, need to be convinced to adopt the government's planned electronic identification documents if the rollout is to be inclusive. A team from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, partnering with UNDP, is visiting all seven constituencies in the region this week to explain the chip-based e-ID, with concerns raised about low literacy levels among marginalised groups.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security launched a national electronic identity awareness campaign in Omaheke, the first region in a nationwide stakeholder engagement drive ahead of Namibia's planned e-ID system rollout in September. The campaign aims to explain the benefits of the digital identity programme and address public concerns over data protection and privacy.
Namibia recorded 513,921 cybersecurity vulnerabilities from April to June 2026, a 39.8% increase year-on-year, with cyber events rising 56.7%. NAM-CSIRT attributed the rise to remote management exposure, legacy network services, and emerging threats including BAVACAI ransomware and Black X extortion group activity.
Namibia recorded more than half a million cyber vulnerabilities between April and June, representing a 39.8% increase from the previous quarter, according to the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team. The Communication Regulatory Authority chief executive urged organisations to tighten cybersecurity measures, implement national incident management guidelines, and report incidents early.
Despite mandatory SIM registration, Namibians face an increase in vishing (voice phishing) scams, in which scammers use phone calls to manipulate individuals into disclosing sensitive information or transferring money. Regulatory authorities including Cran, MTC, and the Bank of Namibia stress that while SIM registration improves accountability, it cannot fully address advanced social engineering tactics.
Namibia's cyber security incident response team reported that detected cyber vulnerabilities declined by 31.3% and reported cyber threat events decreased by 47.3% during the first quarter of 2026, though exposed remote management services and legacy network protocols remain significant risks.
Mobile Telecommunications Limited customers have filed complaints with the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) over alleged rapid data depletion and billing issues. Cran and MTC have agreed to conduct a joint technical testing and verification exercise involving affected consumers to examine their data depletion claims using technical information and charging records.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has engaged Mobile Telecommunications Limited over consumer concerns about data disappearing faster than expected and billing transparency issues. CRAN and MTC have agreed to launch a technical testing and verification initiative involving affected consumers, with findings to guide interventions and possible relief.
Lawyer Richard Metcalfe says Starlink can challenge Cran's rejection of its licence application in the High Court through review proceedings and condonation, even though its reconsideration request was dismissed for being filed late. Cran dismissed the application after Starlink missed the 30-day deadline, having submitted it on 8 June, 55 days after the licence rejection on 23 March.
Namibia's oil and gas sector can meet only about 45% of its required technical skills, with shortages in data science, engineering, cybersecurity, and digital systems management. The country must invest in education, vocational training, and digital infrastructure to avoid over-reliance on foreign expertise and enable effective digital transformation.
The City of Windhoek says it may seek legislative amendments to the Local Authorities Act after the Supreme Court ruled the municipality lacks legal authority to provide telecommunications services. The city views fibre commercialisation as essential to its smart city ambitions.