The Electricity Control Board (ECB) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to collaborate on areas of common interest. 

Through the MoU, both ECB and Cran plan to coordinate and harmonise their mandates in areas of mutual interest, and to ensure the consistent application of their respective regulatory frameworks. 

This partnership undertakes to set out how the parties will interact and cooperate with each other in respect of good regulatory practices, information- sharing regarding electricity provision and networks, extension of rural electrification services, the implementation of the Universal Service Fund, load-shedding probabilities, public enterprise reporting, the implementation of the Access to Information Act, smart grids and vending systems, as well as any other matter that may be of mutual interest and that may lead to cooperation. 

It will also involve the exchange of information on laws, regulations, directives, guidelines, instructions or resolutions; and the implementation of cyber security and access to information legislation. 

“Furthermore, a joint Implementation and Monitoring Committee will be established to oversee the implementation of this MoU, and make any recommendations on the identified challenges and submit an annual monitoring and evaluation report. The sharing of information and resources is key to the implementation of this MoU, provided that disclosure and compliance to requests for information or resources- sharing do not interfere with investigations or impede the independence of our two institutions,” Cran and the ECB stated. 

The ECB was established in terms of the Electricity Act as the regulator of the electricity industry in Namibia, whilst CRAN was established in terms of the Communications Act as an independent regulator of telecommunications services and networks, broadcasting services, postal services and the use and allocation of radio spectrum.