The Community Conservation Fund (CCF) of Namibia, in partnership with the Namibia University of Science and Technology, has commissioned digital communication systems, known as Community Hubs, in two conservancies in the Kunene Region.
In a statement, the CCF indicated that its commissioned digital communication systems involve the installation of Very Small Aperture Terminal satellite-based internet services.
The result is broadband connectivity in remote areas with limited internet access in the Otjiu-West and Orupembe Conservancies.
Communication Officer Bernard Chunga said the two conservancies selected for this initial pilot project were prioritised because of their existing tourism facilities, which play a vital role in local revenue generation.
The newly installed satellite-based WiFi systems offer internet speeds of up to 20 megabits per second for downloading and 10 megabits per second for uploading.
Its coverage extends over an approximate 50-meter radius, depending on local infrastructure.
"With no prior network coverage, these conservancies faced significant challenges in managing tourism and emergencies in conservation. The new connectivity boosts tourism and improves human-wildlife conflict reports, empowering the youth and teachers and providing access to digital tool opportunities. This initiative marks a transformative step in breaching Namibia's digital divide, bringing innovation, resilience, and empowerment to the heart of our conservancies."
Chunga said the initiative, which seeks to address limited access to network coverage in the remote areas of the Kunene Region, came about after several engagements with communities since 2020.
It had received technical support from the Namibia University of Science and Technology's department of Computer Science since last year.
This initiative was funded under the Poverty-Oriented Support to Community Conservation in Namibia project.
It is implemented by CCFN in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW Development Bank.