The Namibia government has no definite policy on Information Technology.  Information Technology policy of the country continue to change as the country hope to attract foreign investment to help develop the sector. 

   Currently, Namibia has a mixed economy consisting of privately and publicly-owned enterprises.  Although most business enterprises in Namibia are privately owned, direct state involvement in the economy takes the form of parastatals.  These parastatals are mostly in the postal services, telecommunications, development banking, electricity and water supply, and transport, in addition to agricultural commodity marketing boards.  However, the government is actively promoting private sector activities in lieu of parastatal in order to create employment. 

   Namibia government invested N$250million (approximately $69.4million) to upgrade and extend its telephone systems, between 1993-97.  As a result today, the country has a modern International Direct Dialing system.  The country-wide area code is 264.  Also, the northern telecommunications network has been expanded considerably.  A fully automated digital network was due to be in operation by 1997.

   In 1996, the government of Namibia allocated N$ 27, 251, 000 (approximately $9.8million)  (1 US Dollar is approximately 3.8 Namibian Dollar (March 1996) ) for capital project in information technology and telecommunications.  (2)

   Of this amount, N$10 million (approximately $3.6 million) was allocated to computer support projects throughout the country.
 In order to lessen its dependence on South Africa for technological and telecommunications need, the government of Namibia allocated N$14million for International switch in 1994.  The switch was commissioned in 1995.   The international switch will enable Namibia to set its own international rates for telephone services.

   The government in 1995 allocated N$ 18million for a  cable expansion to facilitate the speedy provision of telecommunication services in the City of Windhoek, and N$2.5 million for optic fibre. 
 Namibia is in the process of procuring state-of-the-art technology to modernize its already impressive communications infrastructure, including the erection of new satellite earth stations which will link Namibia with the world.  The well-developed infrastructure in Namibia is a unique asset to the foreign investor interested in the Southern Africa region. (9) 

   This page was last updated: 12/16/99

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