Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Commercial Terms Agreement (CTA) in Swakopmund, linking their networks to expand international bandwidth and strengthen digital resilience along Southern Africa’s west coast.
The deal gives Angola Telecom access to global capacity through the Equiano subsea cable landing in Swakopmund, while paving the way for integration with Angola’s next-generation SARSSy subsea cable system.
Speaking at the signing, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the agreement reflects a shift in how digital infrastructure is viewed.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury. It is a critical enabler of economic growth, service delivery, regional integration and social inclusion,” she said.
“By leveraging the Equiano subsea cable, Namibia is strengthening regional interconnection and laying the foundation for a more resilient and digitally inclusive Southern Africa,” Theofelus added.
The Equiano cable, which landed in Swakopmund in 2022 and became fully operational in July 2024, connects Africa directly to Europe and links key digital hubs across the continent. The infrastructure is central to Namibia’s strategy to position itself as a regional data transit hub.
Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication, Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, said the partnership strengthens bilateral cooperation and regional integration.
“This is a project of vision and of the future, one that connects infrastructure, integrates markets and brings people closer together. It will enhance regional connectivity, reinforce communications security and support a more competitive and resilient digital economy,” he said.
The agreement establishes a long-term commercial framework between the two operators, covering access to international capacity, operational alignment and a phased implementation model.
Telecom Namibia Chief Executive Officer Stanley Shanapinda said the deal is the result of extensive negotiations aimed at expanding Namibia’s role in regional connectivity.
“By leveraging the Equiano subsea cable and working in partnership with Angola Telecom, we are strengthening network resilience, expanding international bandwidth and positioning Namibia as a key digital transit hub for the region,” he said.
For Angola Telecom, the partnership supports its investment in the SARSSy subsea cable, a new system designed to improve redundancy, capacity and international reach.
Chief Executive Officer Adilson Miguel dos Santos said the integration will strengthen Angola’s position in the regional digital ecosystem.
“By integrating SARSSy with Equiano through Swakopmund, we are ensuring scalable, reliable capacity for the future and extending the resilience of Angola’s international connectivity,” he said.
Swakopmund is emerging as a critical landing point for subsea cables, with the Erongo Region hosting multiple systems that support sectors such as mining, logistics, ports, tourism and energy, all of which depend on high-speed connectivity.
The agreement aligns with Namibia’s Vision 2030, the Sixth National Development Plan and the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, which prioritise digital infrastructure as a driver of economic growth and industrialisation.
Both operators said the partnership will support continued investment in resilient digital infrastructure and deepen economic integration across Southern Africa.
