Majority of Namibians still lack internet access

Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, addressed Namibia’s stance on digital inclusion and accessibility challenges on Thursday in observance of the African Telecommunications/ICT Day.

The minister stated that, presently, 56 per cent of Namibians have internet access, prompting a call for increased efforts to achieve universal connectivity.

“We need to redouble our efforts to ensure we achieve a 100 per cent rate,” Mushelenga said in a statement to the media.

He urged stakeholders, both local and international, along with mobile operators, to invest in establishing network towers, particularly in remote areas.

The minister acknowledged that 72 per cent of the African continent lacks access to mobile internet, affecting nearly 200 million people residing in areas without mobile broadband network coverage.

Highlighting challenges in rural areas, the Namibian Government disclosed plans to allocate funds in the next financial year for setting up network towers in areas deemed commercially unviable for mobile operators.

According to the Mushelenga, 90 per cent of the population is now covered by broadband infrastructure.

(NAMPA)
SO/PS/AS
(NAMPA)