By Hilja Shikongo

Namibia’s youth got a major boost in the digital space from the Mobile Telecomunications Company (MTC) on 24 August 2025. MTC, the country’s leading digital enabler, announced the deployment of 5G technology, starting with Ongwediva, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek, with plans to roll it out across the nation in the coming months.
Speaking at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), MTC’s Chief Technical and Information Officer, Monica Nehemia, highlighted that 5G is more than just faster internet. “The connectivity power, and seamlessness that comes with 5G is exactly what we need in propelling the digitisation of enterprise solutions across Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, cloud computing, and payments,” she said. “It will enhance business operations, efficiency, foster innovation and scalability.”
For Namibian youth, the rollout of 5G signals a world of new opportunities. Erastus Nekundi of MTC explained how young entrepreneurs and small business owners stand to benefit from the technology. “Even small and medium enterprises want to optimise their operations and processes so that they can serve their customers better. 5G gives you the advantage of doing remote operations, remote configurations, and smart automation,” he said.
Imagine young innovators running tech-driven businesses from their bedrooms or dorm rooms: smart irrigation systems for farms, remote monitoring of equipment, or even automated security solutions for households. Nekundi elaborated, “Because of the super-range and speed that this Internet gives you, you can control gates remotely, manage smart agricultural machinery, or even monitor operations from across the globe.”
The potential extends beyond business. In health, 5G can connect Namibian patients with international specialists in real-time. In gaming and digital entertainment, youth can now compete with peers worldwide without lag or delay. “The small kids into gaming can play a match against someone in America, you are in Namibia, you are gaming,” Nekundi noted.
MTC’s announcement is also a stepping stone for Namibia’s vision of a digital economy. The fast, low-latency connectivity will allow young innovators to experiment with AI, virtual reality, and smart solutions that were previously out of reach. “From immersive experiences, gaming, smart warehousing, telemedicine, to smart irrigation, the possibilities are limitless,” said Nehemia.
For the young population, 5G is more than technology it is an opportunity to compete on a global scale, scale up businesses, and turn ideas into reality. By bridging the digital divide, MTC is creating a platform where Namibian youth can not only consume technology but also create, innovate, and lead in the 4th Industrial Revolution.
As Namibia moves from 2G all the way to 5G, the country’s youth are now better equipped than ever to harness the full potential of the digital era. Nekundi concluded, “This technology empowers young people to take their ideas beyond borders, grow their enterprises, and shape the future of Namibia’s digital economy.”