Niël Terblanché
In an effort to enhance regional cooperation and reduce communication costs, Namibia and Botswana have announced a major reduction in roaming charges for cross-border communication.
Calls within Botswana that previously cost Botswana Pula (BWP) 7.28 per minute will now be reduced to BWP1.85 per minute, a decrease of 75%.
Similarly, calls to Namibia have dropped by 64%, from BWP10.48 to BWP3.80 per minute.
Data usage costs have seen even greater reductions, with the cost per megabyte dropping by over 90%, from BWP19.41 to BWP1.85.
This development follows high-level discussions between Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and Botswana’s Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, with the new tariffs effective from August 2024.
According to Audrin Mathe, the executive director of MICT, the reduction of roaming fees is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and make communication more affordable for businesses, travellers, and residents.
“Both nations aim to create better economic opportunities through improved connectivity, with particular benefits anticipated for tourism, trade, and business travellers,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mathe said that the initiative was spearheaded by Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN) and Botswana’s Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).
“These regulators directed mobile network operators in both countries, including Telecom Namibia (TN Mobile), Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC), Mascom Wireless Botswana, and Orange Botswana, to reduce their roaming prices substantially,” he added.
He said the move aligns with broader efforts within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to harmonise mobile communication costs across the region.
“The reduction in roaming charges is anticipated to set a precedent for future regional agreements aimed at further reducing communication costs throughout SADC, promoting digital inclusivity and economic growth,” he said.
According to Mathe, the reduction in rates is substantial, with Namibians and Batswana enjoying significant savings on calls, SMS, and data while travelling between the two countries.
“This initiative not only strengthens cross-border communication but is also a demonstration of our commitment to delivering affordable digital services to all Namibians. We believe this move will have a positive impact on tourism, trade, and the everyday lives of people travelling between Namibia and Botswana,” he said.
For Namibians who frequently travel to Botswana for business, family, or leisure, the reduced roaming rates are a welcome relief.
Many travellers have long been burdened by high roaming charges when trying to stay connected while abroad.
The new tariffs will significantly lower the cost of calling home, using data, and staying in touch with family and colleagues while on the move.
“With more affordable communication options, businesses can operate seamlessly across borders, and tourists will find it easier to stay connected during their travels, further boosting the economies of both countries,” he added.
According to Mathe, the initiative marks a major milestone in the digital transformation of Namibia and Botswana, with both countries taking the lead in reducing communication costs within the SADC region.
