Namibia is celebrating the launch of the Equiano undersea cable, which positions the Southern African nation to become a regional hub for information and communication technology (ICT).
Telecom Namibia is spearheading this milestone, which aligns with the company's 32nd anniversary of service. The Telecom Namibia Equiano Cable Station was officially inaugurated in the western city of Swakopmund.
This high-capacity cable connects Namibia to Europe through Portugal and links to other parts of Africa via Cape Town and Johannesburg in neighboring South Africa.
Officials are calling the cable a “game-changer” for Namibia’s future, as it promises to enhance communication speed and reliability.
The Equiano cable is expected to create numerous opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and logistics in Namibia, and act as a driver for regional integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of Telecom Namibia, noted that the company has implemented a 100G link via the Equiano cable between Swakopmund and Johannesburg. He stated that this link has eased congestion on terrestrial routes and reduced latency to South Africa, ensuring top-quality service for customers.
“This upgrade has improved the performance of the Telecom Namibia network and provided users with faster, more reliable connectivity,” Shanapinda explained.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa presided over the inauguration. He praised the strategic investment in network modernization and the collaborative effort with Paratus, highlighting it as an exemplary initiative.
With the addition of the Equiano cable, and in conjunction with the existing West Africa Cable System (WACS), Namibia is set to emerge as a key ICT hub.
