In a strategic move to accelerate its digital transformation and combat urban crime, the City of Windhoek has entered a landmark public-private partnership with telecommunications infrastructure provider PowerCom Namibia. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed today at the Windhoek City Police Headquarters, marks a significant step toward realizing the capital’s vision of becoming a “smart, inclusive, and sustainable city by 2027” while addressing critical economic challenges linked to urban safety and connectivity.
The collaboration, formalized by City of Windhoek Mayor Councillor Ndeshihafela Larandja and PowerCom CEO Beatus Amadhila, centers on leveraging PowerCom’s extensive network tower infrastructure to deploy advanced closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems across strategic locations. This initiative directly targets crime reduction—a persistent drain on economic activity—while laying foundational digital infrastructure for broader smart city applications. “This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to harnessing innovative technologies to transform Windhoek,” stated Mayor Larandja, emphasizing that the collaboration extends beyond technology to foster social cohesion and safety, which she described as “critical pillars for a thriving city.”
PowerCom’s immediate commitment involves finalizing CCTV installations at seven identified high-risk sites within the next two months, providing the City Police with real-time surveillance capabilities. Crucially, the company has allocated provisions for an additional 15 to 20 sites during the 2025/2026 financial year, with plans for sustained annual rollouts. By utilizing PowerCom’s existing tower infrastructure, the city avoids substantial capital expenditure, enabling faster, cost-effective deployment. “We are not here to compete but to complement,” CEO Amadhila declared, positioning the initiative as a replicable model for public-private cooperation. “This is about partnership… taking collective action to make our city safer, smarter and conducive for families, businesses, residents, and visitors.”
Economically, the partnership addresses multiple pressure points. Crime, particularly in urban centers, imposes significant costs through lost productivity, reduced tourism, diminished property values, and increased security expenditures—factors that deter investment and strain municipal resources. Enhanced surveillance directly mitigates these losses, creating a more secure environment for commerce and daily life. Furthermore, the deployment of advanced digital infrastructure serves as a catalyst for broader economic modernization. Reliable, pervasive connectivity is fundamental for attracting tech-driven businesses, enabling e-government services, improving traffic management, and supporting future innovations like smart grids or IoT-enabled utilities—all aligned with Windhoek’s 2027 smart city goals.
The MoU also signals a strategic shift in how Windhoek approaches urban challenges. Rather than bearing the full financial and operational burden, the city is actively integrating private sector expertise and resources. PowerCom’s role as an enabler of telecommunications infrastructure positions it uniquely to support not just safety initiatives but the city’s wider digital ambitions. As Mayor Larandja noted, the partnership tackles “pressing challenges of urbanization, including the need for better access to digital services, improved safety, and sustainable urban growth.” This holistic approach recognizes that economic vitality is inextricably linked to the quality of urban living, efficient service delivery, and the confidence of residents and investors alike.
Beyond the immediate CCTV rollout, the agreement fosters a framework for ongoing collaboration. PowerCom’s commitment to multi-year installations implies sustained investment in Windhoek’s digital backbone. Amadhila explicitly encouraged other stakeholders—businesses, civil society, and citizens—to support similar efforts, underscoring the need for collective action in city-building. The involvement of the Windhoek City Police ensures operational integration, transforming technological capability into actionable security and intelligence.
For residents, the tangible benefits promise enhanced safety in public spaces and the gradual realization of a more connected, efficient city. For businesses, it signals a municipality proactively improving the operating environment through innovation. Mayor Larandja expressed confidence that the partnership “will contribute significantly to unlocking Windhoek’s full potential, fostering economic growth, and improving the quality of life.” As Namibia’s technological landscape evolves rapidly, this alliance positions Windhoek at the forefront of urban innovation, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can turn infrastructure into a powerful engine for economic resilience and sustainable development.