Namibia Expands Rural Connectivity as ICT Minister Donates 130 Smartphones to Epinga Residents

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT)  in Namibia has delivered an early Christmas gift to residents of Epinga village in the Ohangwena Region, following the launch of the Universal Service Fund’s first network tower in the community. The milestone event, held on Tuesday, is part of a national commitment to expand connectivity and bridge the digital divide across rural Namibia.

As part of the celebration, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, donated more than 130 Oka smartphones to residents of Epinga. The donations were made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), mobile operator MTC, and MTC Managing Director Dr. Licky Erastus.

CRAN, through the Universal Service Fund, contributed 100 smartphones, MTC donated 20, and Dr. Erastus personally added 10 devices. The initiative also included the distribution of 100 SIM cards to ensure residents can immediately begin benefiting from improved connectivity.

Speaking at the event, Minister Theofelus highlighted the broader impact of the project, stressing that the benefits go beyond the installation of the network tower. She noted that the smartphone and SIM card donations underscore the government’s dedication to advancing digital inclusion and empowering communities through access to communication tools.

The launch of the Epinga tower marks a significant step in Namibia’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure and ensure that underserved areas are not left behind in the country’s technological progress.