Namibia’s telecoms and competition regulators have moved to tighten oversight of the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy, signing an updated cooperation agreement aimed at tackling anti-competitive conduct in the ICT sector.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) on 31 March 2026 formalised an addendum to their long-standing Memorandum of Understanding in Windhoek, expanding how the two regulators coordinate in a market increasingly shaped by data, platforms and digital services.
The revised framework comes as Namibia’s ICT sector grows in scale and complexity, raising regulatory pressure to address market dominance, pricing practices and fair access to infrastructure.
Speaking at the signing, CRAN Executive for ICT Elton Witbooi said the agreement is intended to sharpen enforcement while reducing regulatory overlap.
“This addendum reaffirms our shared dedication to fostering a competitive and fair ICT landscape in Namibia. By working closely together, we can better protect consumers and promote innovation. Our collaboration ensures that our respective mandates are executed efficiently, reducing duplication and enhancing our collective capacity to address complex competition issues,” he said.
The update introduces clearer rules for how complaints are lodged and handled, alongside formal mechanisms for joint investigations, data sharing and coordinated decision-making between the two authorities.
Regulators say this is aimed at speeding up case handling in a sector where delays can quickly distort competition, particularly in areas such as mobile services, internet provision and emerging digital platforms.
“The role of the addendum to the MoU is to improve transparency and responsiveness. The clear procedures outlined in this addendum will enable us to respond more swiftly to complaints, ensuring that stakeholders receive timely and fair outcomes,” Witbooi said.
Originally signed in 2011, the MoU set out broad cooperation principles between CRAN and NaCC. The new addendum goes further, introducing joint case assessments, shared advisory roles and the option to establish joint working committees for complex investigations.
The move signals a more coordinated regulatory approach as Namibia positions itself for increased digital adoption, including fintech expansion, data-driven services and future platform-based competition.
“CRAN remains committed to advancing regulatory excellence in the ICT sector, and this agreement signals a strengthened partnership with NaCC to uphold competition principles that benefit consumers, businesses, and the economy at large,” Witbooi said.
