Telecom Namibia and the Usakos Town Council yesterday announced a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing Usakos towards becoming a smart city. 

This partnership marks a significant step in the town’s digital transformation, promising enhanced connectivity, economic growth and an improved quality of life for its residents.

The MOU outlines a shared commitment to developing cutting-edge Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure within Usakos. 

This collaboration will focus on delivering a top-tier telecommunication network, opening doors to advanced digital and value-added services. 

Key areas of cooperation include, but are not limited to, rolling out ICT infrastructure that will power the digital transformation of the town for current and future Usakos Town Council developments.

This initiative builds on Telecom Namibia’s successful partnership with OMDis in Oranjemund, a town also undergoing a smart city transformation. 

The collaboration is a clear testament to Telecom Namibia’s commitment to modernising its telecommunications network and replacing outdated infrastructure. 

As a strategic part of this ongoing effort, the Oranjemund project deployed 67.6 kilometres (km) of new fibre routes, adding to our robust national fibre backbone that now spans over 13 000km across the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses highlighted the critical role of collaboration. 

“Partnerships with entities like Telecom Namibia are not just welcomed but essential. They lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth, enhance public service delivery and bring us closer to our vision of a connected, thriving Erongo region,” she said.

The governor highlighted the significance of the agreement. 

“Today’s MoU is more than a formal agreement. It is a bold, shared commitment to transform Usakos into a smart city and advance inclusive development throughout the Erongo region,” she remarked.

/Goagoses called upon the community to protect vital infrastructure.

“We must jealously guard our telecommunications and national infrastructure against vandalism and theft, as this comes at a huge cost. We won’t achieve our goals if this infrastructure is compromised,” she said.

 She affirmed her commitment to holding all parties accountable for the MoU’s objectives while also providing full support to ensure their successful fruition.

The governor then asked people to jealously guard the telecommunications and national infrastructure against vandalism and theft, as this infrastructure comes at a huge cost. 

“We are not going to realise our goals if you vandalise our infrastructure,” she noted. 

She said she will hold each and every player in this MoU accountable, but she will also support them to see the goals come to fruition. 

“Reliable connectivity is at the heart of any smart city,” stated Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of Telecom Namibia. 

“Our experience in Oranjemund has demonstrated just how critical connectivity is to the success of a smart city ecosystem. We are confident that Telecom Namibia is the ideal partner to support Usakos in becoming a digitally advanced, inclusive, sustainable and thriving community,” he added.

“This partnership with Telecom Namibia is a pivotal moment for Usakos,” said Lesley Grand Goreseb, CEO of the Usakos Town Council. 

“We are excited to embark on this journey to become a smart city, bringing unparalleled digital opportunities and a higher quality of life to our residents. This collaboration will undoubtedly unlock new avenues for economic growth and innovation within our community,” he said.

Shanapinda highlighted the broader vision.

 “This project will set a benchmark for other towns, necessitating closer cooperation between town councils and the ICT sector to ensure smart homes and businesses. We are positioned and experienced to emulate this success in any other given town, bringing immense value through future-proof fibre technology that promises less maintenance and increased speed capacity benefits,” he stated.

This partnership with the Usakos Town Council underscores Telecom Namibia’s dedication to expanding digital technologies across Namibia, fostering economic growth and enhancing the well-being of its citizens.