Usakos, Namibia – 21 July 2025- Telecom Namibia and the Usakos Town Council today 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 of 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is a clear testament to Telecom Namibia’s commitment to modernising its telecommunications network and replacing outdated infrastructure.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 km of new fiber routes, adding to our robust national fiber backbone that now spans over 13,000 km across the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Natalia /Goagoses, Governor of the Erongo Region, emphasized the critical role of collaboration: "Partnerships with entities like Telecom Namibia are not just welcomed—they are 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."

The Governor further highlighted the agreement's significance: "Today’s Memorandum of Understanding is more than a formal agreement; it is a bold, shared commitment to transform Usakos into a smart city and to advance inclusive development throughout the Erongo Region."

Governor /Goagoses also 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 concluded by affirming 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 realize our goals if you vandalize our infrastructure. Lastly, she said she will hold each and every player in this MoU accountable, but she will also support them to see the goals as set out in the mou come to frutition.

“Reliable connectivity is at the heart of any smart city,” stated Dr. 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.”

"This partnership with Telecom Namibia is a pivotal moment for Usakos," said Mr. Lesley Grand Goreseb, Chief Executive Officer of 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."

The investment in fiber infrastructure in Usakos will propel the town's digital transformation journey, positively impacting sectors such as tourism, industrial development, healthcare, agriculture, SME development, education, and property development.

Dr. Stanley Shanapinda, Telecom Namibia Chief Executive Officer, further 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 fiber technology that promises less maintenance and increased speed capacity benefits."

Telecom Namibia’s commitment to delivering affordable and truly unlimited internet connectivity is evident in its offerings in Oranjemund — a model that will soon be extended to Usakos. These services provide download speeds ranging from 8 Mbps to 120 Mbps, ensuring reliable access for a wide range of users.

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.