The City of Windhoek has advanced plans to commercialise its municipal fibre optic network, a move expected to strengthen municipal revenues, improve digital connectivity and support the capital’s ambition of becoming a leading smart city in Africa.
Speaking at the fifth ordinary council meeting, Windhoek Mayor Sakaria Uunona said the first phase of the fibre commercialisation project has been completed with the assistance of specialised advisers.
The phase focused on identifying viable business models for the network and assessing market opportunities to maximise the value of the city’s fibre infrastructure.
According to Uunona, the upgraded network has already attracted new digital service providers and improved connectivity in pilot areas across the city.
“As a result, municipal revenue streams are expected to grow, connectivity has improved in pilot areas, and Windhoek is better positioned to implement the People-Centred Smart City Strategy,” he said.
The mayor said the fibre network is a critical component of the city’s broader digital transformation agenda and will provide the infrastructure needed to support future smart city initiatives.
“The upgraded infrastructure has fostered innovation, advancing Windhoek as a smart city hub,” Uunona said.
The fibre rollout comes as the City of Windhoek finalises its first People-Centred Smart City Strategy, developed in partnership with UN-Habitat under the UNITAC project.
The strategy is designed to place citizens at the centre of digital transformation efforts by using technology and data to improve municipal service delivery, strengthen urban governance and enhance public participation.
“The strategy prioritises citizens in digital transformation, using technology and data to improve service delivery, enhance citizen participation, strengthen urban governance, and raise residents’ quality of life,” Uunona said.
The municipality expects the combination of fibre commercialisation and smart city planning to improve service delivery, support investment attraction, boost trade efficiency and create a digital platform for future urban development.
Windhoek approved the implementation of its municipal fibre project in 2022 after years of discussion around the city’s smart city ambitions.
A smart city uses digital technologies, sensors and data-driven systems to manage infrastructure and public services more efficiently, while improving the quality of life of residents.
The latest developments mark a significant step in Windhoek’s efforts to modernise its infrastructure and position itself as a technology-driven urban centre capable of supporting future economic growth and innovation.
