Allexer Namundjembo
Namibia’s ICT Development Index (IDI) score rose from 68% in 2023 to 73.2% in 2025, according to the latest IDI report, released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The 6% rise reflects an increase in the country’s digital connectivity.The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) said this growth highlights progress in connectivity levels.
The IDI measures Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) across 164 member states using 2023 data. UMC includes access, affordability, digital literacy, and network qualitym .
Namibia recorded 63% in universal connectivity and 83.5% in meaningful connectivity.
Cran’s chief executive officer, Emilia Nghikembua, expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting it aligns with the country’s strategic initiatives and policies led by the minister of information and communications technology (MICT).
“We are therefore pleased with this increase as it is well aligned with some of our strategic initiatives and policy oversight from the MICT as implemented during the reporting period,” Nghikembua said.
Regionally, Namibia outperformed several SADC countries, including Zimbabwe (56.8%), Zambia (60.3%), and Mozambique (32.4%). It is just behind regional leaders such as Botswana (82.1%), South Africa (85.0%), and Mauritius (86.3%).
Nghikembua noted that the IDI score reflects the positive correlation between economic growth and digital transformation.
She pointed out that the data used for the report was collected before Namibia’s recent economic reclassification by the World Bank.
“The IDI score highlights the correlation between economic growth and digital transformation,” she said.
Cran indicated that the country’s progress is also evident in the Global Cybersecurity Index, where Namibia’s score rose from 11.47 in 2020 to 36.93 in 2024.
This increase contributes to the country’s overall ICT profile, particularly in network infrastructure and adoption.
Namibia’s universal connectivity, which includes user behaviour and internet adoption, stands above the African average of 47%.
Cran said the country’s infrastructure-driven indicators under meaningful connectivity place it well above the continental average of 65%, thanks to regulatory efforts on network expansion, including the rollout of 4G services beyond urban areas.
Nghikembua reiterated the country’s ongoing commitment to improving internet use and adoption.
“Our strategic intent will also focus on access, mobile broadband penetration, and affordability through ongoing network expansion and discontinuation of legacy technologies in favour of new emerging technologies capable of providing meaningful connectivity,” she added.
Namibia’s progress continues its achievements in ICT development.
In 2017, the ITU recognised the country for its dynamic performance in the IDI, which led to a significant leap in its global ranking.
The IDI score improved from 3.33 in 2016 to 3.89 in 2017, moving the country from 123rd to 118th out of 176 economies.
According to the regulator, this improvement reflected government-led efforts in liberalising the telecommunications market, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and investing in infrastructure.
“By building on these gains and addressing the remaining gaps, Namibia is well-positioned to advance toward a more inclusive and resilient digitaleconomy. CRAN can expect further improvements due to work done in terms of affordability and rollout of service.”