Namibia cabinet approves rollout of satellite broadcasting project

by ALFRED SHILONGO
WINDHOEK – NAMIBIA has directed the rollout of the Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite broadcasting project, a multimillion-dollar initiative to bridge the digital divide.

Emma Theofelus, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), confirmed the approval as she provided an update on the decisions made by government at the eighth and ninth Cabinet decisions held recently.

“Cabinet took note of the progress made in implementing the Direct-To-Home broadcast project, which supports digital migration and expands access to radio and television services to citizens in previously under-served and remote areas,” she said.

Theofelus was delivering a Cabinet update late Thursday at the Government Information Centre (GIC) in the capital, Windhoek.

“Cabinet directed the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to roll out the project to achieve 100 percent nationwide coverage,” the minister disclosed.

DTH is a N$121 million (US$7,35 million) partnership initiated in 2025 between the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) and Intelsat Ventures, a multinational satellite services provider.

The project, which had been awaiting Cabinet approval since the two parties initiated it, aims to increase coverage from the current 74,5 percent (TV) and 78 percent (radio) both to 100 percent within six to seven months.

This initiative, to be rolled out for the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), supports Namibia’s digital inclusion strategy (2025–2029) and the Sixth National Development Plan.

These focus on enhancing rural infrastructure, boosting digital literacy, achieving 100 percent online government services and fostering a secure digital-ready economy.

Around half of Namibia’s 3 million population resides in rural areas.

– CAJ News