State-owned telecommunications company expanding fibre and mobile infrastructure nationwide; CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda departed July 2026 for regional regulatory role.
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June 2026
Informanté
Telecom Namibiaimplementedwide-ranging transformation programme focused on network modernisation and digital transformation
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“His appointment comes after serving as CEO of Telecom Namibia since 2021, during which the company implemented a wide-ranging transformation programme focused on network modernisation, digital transformation, customer experience improvements, and long-term sustainability.”
“Telecom Namibia's board has welcomed the appointment, saying it reflects Namibia's growing contribution to regional telecommunications and ICT leadership.”
“TELECOM Namibia says it is pressing ahead with a nationwide network modernisation programme aimed at improving service reliability, speed and overall customer experience, while acknowledging recent network disruptions affecting parts of the country.”
Telecom Namibiais upgradingcore network infrastructure including converged FMC Core
Source
“The company said it is upgrading its core network infrastructure, including the introduction of a converged FMC Core designed to improve stability, capacity and connectivity nationwide.”
Telecom NamibiasignedMemorandum of Understanding and Commercial Terms Agreement with Angola Telecom
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“TELECOM Namibia and Angola Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Commercial Terms Agreement (CTA) aimed at strengthening regional digital connectivity, enabling Angola Telecom to access international bandwidth via Namibia's Equiano Subsea Cable landing station in Swakopmund while laying the foundation for deeper cooperation on future submarine cable infrastructure.”
The companytakes full responsibility forthe outages, which occurred between 15 and 16 April
Source
“Speaking at a media briefing, Shanapinda said the company takes full responsibility for the outages, which occurred between 15 and 16 April, saying they caused significant disruption to individuals, businesses and critical services across the country.”
The companyhas implemented interventions includingincreased security, police collaboration, and community engagement
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“The company has implemented interventions such as increased security, collaboration with the police and community structures, and engagement with the government to strengthen legislation and enforcement.”
Telecom Namibiaexperiencedextended fixed and mobile internet service outages between 15-16 April 2026
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“He added that the extended fixed and mobile internet service outages were experienced between the evening of 15 April and the early afternoon of 16 April 2026.”
Dr Stanley Shanapinda, outgoing CEO of Telecom Namibia since 2021, has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), a SADC-based organisation mandated to promote regulatory harmonisation among regional communications regulators. During his tenure at Telecom Namibia, he led transformation initiatives including network modernisation, digital infrastructure investment, and implementation of the 2023–2027 Strategic Business Plan.
Dr Stanley Shanapinda, outgoing CEO of Telecom Namibia since 2021, has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), a SADC-based organisation mandated to promote regulatory harmonisation among regional communications regulators. During his tenure at Telecom Namibia, he led transformation initiatives including network modernisation, digital infrastructure investment, and implementation of the 2023–2027 Strategic Business Plan.
Shanapinda, who led Telecom Namibia for six years, has been appointed to lead an organisation responsible for promoting regulatory harmonisation and cooperation among communication regulators in the Southern African Development Community. A new chief executive will be recruited once Telecom Namibia's new board starts on 3 June.
Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda will step down from the state-owned telecommunications company on 1 July after accepting a senior regional appointment with CRASA (the Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa).
Telecom Namibia is executing a nationwide network modernisation programme under its 2027 Integrated Strategic Business Plan, upgrading core infrastructure, backup power systems, and mobile and fixed broadband services to improve reliability and speed, despite acknowledged recent disruptions.
Telecom Namibia has been summoned by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia following repeated nationwide broadband disruptions affecting businesses, institutions and households. The company attributed the outages to infrastructure-related problems and system faults, and said it will provide a full briefing on technical causes and measures to restore stability.
The chief of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union has criticised long delays at border posts, blaming slow processes within the Namibia Revenue Agency and calling for contingency plans. A truck driver cited extended waits during verification and inspection at Oshikango Border Post.
National Council member Nestor Sheimi raised concerns that the lack of mobile network coverage along the road between Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund leaves motorists vulnerable, warning that lives could be lost if accidents occur. He called on the ministry and MTC to urgently install network towers capable of covering long distances and provide 5G services in the area.
Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Commercial Terms Agreement to strengthen regional digital connectivity, enabling Angola Telecom to access international bandwidth via Namibia's Equiano Subsea Cable landing station in Swakopmund. The agreement aims to enhance cross-border connectivity, improve network resilience, and support development of a more integrated digital economy along Southern Africa's west coast.
An opinion piece reflects on a Big Ben concert at Zoo Park, describing a chaotic but emotionally connected crowd that sang along enthusiastically, with moments including a live proposal, though the artist struggled with lyrics and the performance was imperfect overall.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has allocated N$42.1 million under Phase 2 of the Universal Service Fund to MTC and Telecom Namibia to expand mobile and internet infrastructure into rural and underserved regions, including nine strategic RAN tower locations across five regions and connectivity to 15 public institutions. The project, 39% complete as of March 2026, supports Namibia's national development target of increasing internet penetration from 53% to 90% by 2030.
Telecom Namibia CEO Stanley Shanapinda apologized for network disruptions that occurred between 15 and 16 April, attributed to international connectivity failures, copper theft, and vandalism. The company is implementing infrastructure upgrades, enhanced security, and collaboration with law enforcement to prevent future outages.
Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda apologized for extended fixed and mobile internet service outages on 15–16 April 2026, caused by failure of two high-capacity international links to South Africa. He attributed the extended recovery time to structural vulnerabilities where legacy and modern network systems intersect, and announced plans to accelerate modernization programmes and upgrade border routing infrastructure.
Telecom Namibia is rolling out infrastructure upgrades to strengthen network resilience and modernize systems, including core routing improvements, fixed-mobile convergence, and billing platform modernisation, with projects continuing through early 2027. The company plans to invest more than N$2.3 billion over coming years for fibre-to-the-home expansion, mobile network upgrades to 4.5G and 5G preparation, and improved international connectivity, supported by a N$405 million social loan from RMB Namibia.
Telecom Namibia confirmed that recent network disruptions were caused by a technical fault on external international connectivity routes, leading to slower speeds and intermittent access. The company's teams responded immediately and implemented corrective measures including traffic redirection and equipment upgrades to restore and stabilize services.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has awarded Mobile Telecommunications Limited N$32.3 million through the Universal Service Fund Phase 2 project to deploy radio access network towers across five regions, extending connectivity to 15 public institutions including schools and clinics. The initiative supports the Sixth National Development Plan's digital inclusion priorities, with Phase 3 preparations underway for approximately N$65 million to benefit close to 16 communities.
Telecom Namibia has given the Brave Gladiators women's football team 30 smartphones worth approximately N$100,000 following their COSAFA Women's Championship victory, with the CEO citing the team's historic achievement and commitment to supporting women's sport in Namibia.
NAM-CSIRT has confirmed that data stolen in a cyberattack on Namibia Airports Company has been published online, with preliminary assessments indicating the leaked data may include airport permit records, parking management information, engineering documentation, financial records, and internal reports. The attack, detected on 6 March 2026, involved approximately 500GB of data and is linked to the INC Ransomware Group, marking the second known attack by this group in Namibia.
Rand Merchant Bank Namibia has extended a N$405 million seven-year loan to Telecom Namibia to fund its five-year transformation strategy, aimed at improving broadband access and mobile network capacity nationwide to ensure citizens have access to reliable and affordable digital services.
RMB Namibia has provided Telecom Namibia with a N$405 million seven-year social loan to upgrade infrastructure and expand connectivity, particularly to underserved areas, through fibre-to-the-home rollout and mobile network upgrades. The investment aims to improve digital access across the country and reduce the connectivity gap between urban and rural areas.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has criticized local internet service providers as "unreliable monopolies" following the government's rejection this week of Starlink's application to operate in Namibia, citing the company's failure to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Amoomo argued that Namibians are "stuck" with expensive and unreliable services from Telecom and MTC, while the regulatory authority Cran has warned the public against purchasing or subscribing to Starlink services as they are illegal under Namibian law.
Minister Emma Theofelus drew criticism from consumer activists after stating that pensioners falling victim to online scams bear responsibility for protecting themselves, while activists argue the government should run awareness campaigns and opponents point to legislative gaps in data protection and cybercrime laws.
Telecom Namibia Sports Club will host the 2026 Southern African Telecommunications Games (SATeG) in Swakopmund from 3–6 April, bringing together telecommunications operators from six Southern African countries to promote sportsmanship, collaboration and industry unity through sporting competitions, cultural activities and networking.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should focus on achieving universal 2G and 4G coverage before pursuing 5G technology, as large areas of the country lack basic connectivity and the financial burden of 5G rollout could worsen the national debt crisis.
MTC says it has no immediate plans to separate its tower and passive infrastructure assets into a standalone company, despite the model gaining traction globally and being used to unlock capital and improve efficiency. The company does not rule out the possibility in future, while Telecom Namibia already operates towers through its subsidiary PowerCom.
Kavango West leaders have accused the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) of failing to provide reliable electricity to the region, citing constant power cuts and slow restoration times. The criticism came during a stakeholder engagement hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, where local officials and businesses, including telecommunications operators and a tourism lodge, expressed concern about the outages and their economic impact.
PDM parliamentarian Winnie Moongo has raised concerns with the ICT minister about prepaid data expiration policies imposed by MTC and Telecom Namibia, arguing that consumers lose paid-for data due to restrictive usage timelines and that this disproportionately affects low-income and rural Namibians. She called on the Communications Regulatory Authority to ensure these practices align with consumer protection principles and public interest.
Telecom Namibia is committing hundreds of millions of Namibian dollars to overhaul ageing infrastructure, expand fibre and mobile coverage, and modernize its telecommunications backbone through projects focused on 4G/4.5G rollout, fibre-to-the-x expansion, and cybersecurity improvements. The upgrades aim to improve customer experience, strengthen network resilience, and position the country for a more competitive digital future.