Chamwe Kaira
As Paratus Namibia marks its 20th anniversary, managing director Andrew Hall reflected on how the company began with a small team aiming to change the country’s digital future. What started as Internet Technologies Namibia (Pty) Ltd has grown into a major connectivity provider now preparing to enter the mobile network market.
After a successful rights issue in May 2024, Paratus began one of its largest network expansions.
The nationwide roll-out of its Radio Access Network and the growth of its retail footprint to 18 outlets led to strong customer uptake across its services. Fibre connections grew by 34%, adding 3 551 new subscribers. LTE post-paid subscriptions rose by 108%, bringing in more than 3 000 new customers. Sky-Fi increased by 184%, adding over 8 200 new subscribers. The Armada Data Center reached 62% occupancy.
Paratus also expanded its mobile base stations by 256%, reaching more than 70% population coverage. This set the foundation for the company’s mobile network launch.
For the year ended 30 June 2025, Paratus invested N$471.3 million in infrastructure, more than double the previous year. Of this, N$381.2 million went into the mobile project, covering equipment, site construction and a new digital software stack. Group capital expenditure rose from N$216.1 million in 2024 to N$471.3 million in 2025, driven by preparations for the mobile business launch in September.
The group faced economic pressure, high inflation, exchange-rate volatility and the financial effects of the cyber incident. Despite this, PNH recorded revenue growth of 14.58%, supported by increased fibre, Sky-Fi and LTE subscribers, higher Equiano subsea cable capacity sales and stronger Armada Data Center occupancy.
Operating profit fell by 41.36% to N$66.1 million as costs rose with the network expansion and mobile business development.
EBITDA margins dropped from 39.8% to 31.2%, and gross profit margins narrowed to 47.68%.
Earnings were affected by a larger number of shares in issue after the rights offer. The basic earnings per share experienced a decline from 47.49 cents to 26.29 cents, while the HEPS experienced a rise from 47.25 cents to 26.28 cents.
Paratus Namibia’s total revenue increased by 15.8% to N$646.4 million. Recurring revenue made up 89.2% of the total.
The growth came from Equiano subsea cable services, higher Armada Data Center occupancy, expanded fibre, LTE, VSAT and Sky-Fi product uptake, and N$12.8 million earned from mobile project-related revenue.
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Andrew Hall
