RMB Namibia has extended a N$405 million social loan to Telecom Namibia Limited to support the operator’s five-year strategy to modernise infrastructure and expand affordable connectivity across the country.
The seven-year facility will fund projects aimed at improving broadband access and strengthening mobile network capacity, particularly in underserved areas.
Telecom Namibia Chief Executive Officer Stanley Shanapinda said the investment aligns with national development priorities and is intended to improve access to essential digital services.
“Telecom’s key objective is to ensure that every citizen can access and use entertainment, communication, information, education, commerce and online health services through fast, reliable and affordable connectivity,” Shanapinda said.
He added that the strategy is closely aligned with Namibia’s national development plan, positioning the transaction as a direct investment in socio-economic development.
Namibia continues to face infrastructure constraints in the ICT sector, with 11 of the country’s 14 regions still below the national broadband coverage target of 95%. Limited fibre networks, legacy copper infrastructure and reliance on older 2G and 3G technologies have weighed on access and service quality.
Shanapinda said Telecom Namibia is implementing initiatives to address these gaps, including expanding fibre and 4G coverage, improving affordability and supporting digital skills development.
The funding will be directed towards two priority areas. These include a fibre-to-the-home rollout aimed at delivering broadband speeds of at least 25 Mbps, in line with national minimum requirements, with expected benefits for institutions such as schools, hospitals and other public services.
Telecom Namibia will also upgrade its mobile network infrastructure through the deployment of new base stations capable of supporting future 5G technology, while accelerating the transition from legacy networks to 4G.
RMB Namibia Transactor Leonard Hamunyela said the financing is designed to deliver broader socio-economic impact beyond infrastructure investment.
“This partnership with Telecom is more than just financing infrastructure. It is about enabling digital inclusion and empowering Namibians with improved access to essential services,” Hamunyela said.
The loan has been structured in line with the Social Loan Principles of the Loan Market Association, an international framework promoting financing for projects with positive social outcomes.
RMB Namibia said the funding is expected to help narrow the digital divide between urban and rural communities, while strengthening Namibia’s competitiveness in the digital economy.
