The recently launched Integrated Business Strategic Plan (IBSP) for the period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2026 by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) aims to improve service provision to customers and address the affordability of ICT services in the sector.
Launched in line with the provisions of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009) and the Public Enterprises Governance Act (No. 1 of 2019), enhancement of legislative services also features prominently in the blueprint in areas of electronic transactions, postal, data protection, cyber security laws, implementation of Part 6 of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009), as well as the establishment of the Cyber Incidence Response Team in the country with provision for resources to operationalise it.
The development of the Strategic Plan 2023 to 2026 was necessitated by the need to build on the third Strategic Plan for the period 2020 to 2023. The current strategy also puts more emphasis on the execution of the core mandate of CRAN through the added Strategic Themes of Digital Transformation, and Market Development and Consumer Protection.
Speaking at the launch, Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II, Chairperson of the CRAN Board of Directors said “the Authority’s mandate entails the development and expansion of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Namibia so that all Namibians have access to a variety of services, products at high quality and affordable rates. It is CRAN’s responsibility as a Regulator of the ICT sector to ensure that service providers expand their products and services to underserved and un-served areas, in order to expand on universal access which in turn offers many benefits such as building a knowledge-based society as communities have access to information, employment, participation in national and international offerings which is crucial for the socioeconomic development of our country.”
During his keynote address, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) said “Vision 2030 specifically stipulates that ICT must be elevated to being the most important sector in the country’s economic development by 2030. Additionally, the two pillars of the Harambe Prosperity Plan II (HPPII) that fall under CRAN’s mandate and the strategic goal of expanding coverage for ICT include to improve performance and service delivery through various efforts, one of which is digitalisation, and to promote infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth, social progression, and a contributor to global competitiveness and investment attraction.”
CRAN will contribute to the implementation of Vision 2030 through various ICT strategies by developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the ICT and Postal sectors, and contributing to the provisioning of access to quality, reliable and affordable ICT and postal services for economic benefits for all members of the Namibian society.
During her presentation, Emilia Nghikembua, CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, said “we at CRAN are placing emphasis on our strategic priorities namely, Organisational Sustainability, Strategic Partnering and Collaborations, Digital Transformation, and Market Development and Consumer Protection in order to be consistent and in sync with the Ministerial and governmental objectives as outlined in the MICT strategic plan and various national policies and agenda’s, such as the HHP II, Vision 2030, Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) and subsequent Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).”
CRAN has an important role in terms of advising and supporting the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the provisions of sustainable socio-economic development through telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services. It is thus important that CRAN analyses international trends to ensure the development of a forward-looking regulatory environment that serves the national agenda for current and future needs.