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Nam and Bots reduce mobile roaming charges…slashed rates take region closer to single digital market

Nam and Bots reduce mobile roaming charges…slashed rates take region closer to single digital market

Collaboration between the governments of Namibia and Botswana continues to bear fruit for citizens and businesses of both countries through last week’s announcement of a substantial reduction of mobile roaming charges. 

The move by the two countries, which was embarked on about a year ago, signifies a major step towards realising enhanced regional connectivity and Southern African Development Community (SADC) digital inclusivity goals. 

The significant reduction in rates range from 17% on the lower end for receiving a call per minute to 97% for the same type of call between networks. Due to the essential role of mobile telecommunication services in promoting regional trade and integration, the line ministers of both countries emphasised the need for collaboration between Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (Cran) and Botswana’s Communications Regulatory Authority (Bocra). 

The reduced roaming charges, effective from August 2024, are expected to promote more accessible and affordable communication services between the two countries and within SADC in general. Namibia and Botswana have already implemented a transformative initiative which allows citizens of the two countries to cross borders using national identity cards. 

Namibia’s information and communications technology ministry (MICT) last week announced: “For Namibians who frequently travel to Botswana for business, work, family, or leisure, these reduced roaming rates are a game changer as calling home using data and staying connected while on the move will no longer come at exorbitant costs. MICT remains committed to driving digital inclusivity and will continue working with other regional partners to ensure cross-border communication is affordable through providing seamless and cost-effective mobile services across the SADC region”. 

The statement from MICT executive director, Audrin Mathe, noted the “game-changing development” follows high-level talks between the Namibian information and communication technology minister, Emma Theofelus and her counterpart, Botswana’s minister of communications, knowledge and technology, Thulagano Merafe Segokgo.

A statement from Botswana’s ministry reads: “This bold and progressive initiative to reduce roaming tariffs bears testimony to the commitment by both Botswana and Namibia to digital transformation efforts. By making communication more affordable, the two countries are not only strengthening bilateral relations, but are also creating greater economic opportunities for their citizens”.  The statement added that the initiative will positively impact business and tourism between the two countries, and it is expected to spread throughout the region as engagements continue with other SADC member states. 

Meanwhile, the MICT statement noted that Cran and Bocra have directed the two countries’ mobile network operators, Telecom Namibia (TN Mobile) and Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC), Mascom Wireless Botswana (Mascom) and Orange Botswana (Orange) to slash roaming charges.

“This bold step forward in reducing roaming costs marks a new chapter in the digital transformation efforts of both Namibia and Botswana. By making communication more affordable, the two countries are not only strengthening bilateral relations but also fostering greater economic opportunities, especially for businesses and travellers,” MICT stated. It added that the the reduced roaming charges are part of a broader push to harmonise mobile communication costs across SADC.   “As Namibia and Botswana take the lead, MICT anticipates this initiative will pave the way for more regional agreements aimed at cutting mobile costs throughout the SADC region,” MICT added. 

The ultimate aim of reducing and eventually eliminating roaming charges is to streamline charges across borders in alignment with the single digital market project. According to the World Bank, a single digital market across southern Africa and inevitably the entire continent, will lower barriers to trade and communication. 

This will in turn result in faster and more accessible internet. Through better online access, Africans will be able to easily connect with banking, healthcare, as well as family and friends. Thus, the single digital market has been touted as the key to the digital age to promote economic growth and job creation

 – ebrandt@nepc.com.na