Kasane: TECHz – News Desk
In a significant stride toward regional digital integration, Botswana and Namibia signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at Cresta Mowana in Kasane, Botswana.
The agreement establishes a structured framework to expand collaboration across digital transformation, emerging technologies, and cybersecurity infrastructure. Championed by David Tshere, Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, and Emma Theofelus, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, the deal directly supports Botswana’s strategy to transition toward a digital knowledge economy while bolstering connectivity across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The agreement builds on robust foundational ties and shared infrastructure projects. Under the framework, landlocked Botswana gains crucial access to international bandwidth via Namibia’s West Africa Cable System (WACS) landing station in Swakopmund. Physical infrastructure links, such as the Trans-Kalahari Fibre and Botswana Kalahari Fibre routes, provide direct connections from Gaborone and Johannesburg to Namibian coastal submarine cable landing points.
Additionally, Namibia was among the first SADC nations to slash mobile roaming charges with Botswana, effectively facilitating seamless cross-border trade and communication. “The two countries will continue expanding sectoral areas of mutual interest to incorporate new areas of cooperation in the field of ICT,” stated Minister David Tshere.
This ministerial MoU is part of a broader, multi-layered synergy between the two nations. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) recently signed their own regulatory MoU in Swakopmund. Signed by CRAN Chief Executive Officer Emilia Nghikembua and BOCRA’s Director of Business Development Murphy Setswane, this agreement aims to drive collaborative regulation, explicitly focusing on cybersecurity, data protection, and optimizing roaming data.
The public sector push is mirrored by enterprise-level partnerships. In February 2026, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Botswana Fibre Networks signed a strategic pact in Gaborone to strengthen the Buitepos-Ngoma digital corridor. This route is recognized as a vital operational entry point for wholesale ecosystems, reinforcing network resilience and decreasing latency across the region.
Together, these agreements signal a robust approach to digital infrastructure leadership, proving that cross-border partnerships are central to the technological future and economic integration of Southern Africa.
