Swakopmund: Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Commercial Terms Agreement to enhance regional and international digital connectivity along the west coast of southern Africa.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the agreement, signed on Thursday in Swakopmund, enables Angola Telecom to leverage international capacity through Telecom Namibia's Equiano subsea cable landing station located there. This collaboration also opens avenues for further integration with Angola Telecom's Southern African Regional Submarine System (SARSSy) subsea cable network.
At the signing ceremony, Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, emphasized the significance of the agreement in fostering regional integration through digital infrastructure. She highlighted that connectivity is crucial for economic growth, service delivery, and regional integration, with Namibia playing a pivotal role by utilizing the Equiano subsea cable to bolster regional interconnection and promote digital inclusion in southern Africa.
Angola's Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication, M¡rio Augusto da Silva Oliveira, hailed the initiative as a visionary project that not only enhances bilateral cooperation but also integrates markets and connects people. He noted that improved regional connectivity, enhanced communication security, and a more competitive digital economy in southern Africa are among the anticipated outcomes.
Stanley Shanapinda, Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Namibia, revealed that the signing was the culmination of extensive discussions and negotiations between the two telecommunications operators. Adilson Miguel dos Santos, CEO of Angola Telecom, stated that the partnership aligns with Angola's strategic investments in the SARSSy subsea cable, which aims to fortify infrastructure sovereignty and expand international reach.
Dos Santos further explained that integrating SARSSy with the Equiano cable through Swakopmund would bolster Angola's standing in the regional digital ecosystem, ensuring scalable and reliable international capacity moving forward. Swakopmund's selection as the interconnection point underscores the Erongo Region's expanding role as a hub for both physical and digital gateways, supporting industries like mining, logistics, and tourism.