• By Staff Reporter

Namibia’s Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) and the United Nations (UN) has entered into an agreement that will see the two organisations facilitating knowledge and skills transfer through the National Internship Programme. The agreement will also promote electronic know your customer (e-KYC), e-learning and digital identity solutions as well as foster the expansion of financial literacy. 

This initiative will see the inclusion of the underbanked and implement digital connectivity solutions to enhance smart agriculture as well as increase Namibia’s digital maturity. 

These revelations came through a joint statement issued by the two entities recently, in which they further uncovered their plans for the partnership to extend to UN development programs.  

“This includes UN utilising MTC’s platforms to disseminate educational resources and health awareness initiatives, conduct large scale research, improve rural connectivity to ensure equitable education access, leverage technology to improve food systems and raise awareness on sustainable development goals (SDG’s) through MTC’s trusted network,” the statement reads. 

The agreement was signed by MTC’s Financial Director, Thinus Smit, and United Nations’ Resident Coordinator of Namibia, Hopolang Phororo.  Smit emphasised MTC’s position to build a more inclusive economy. “As a digital enabler, it is our duty to bridge the digital divide and enable communities.

 MTC, as a corporate citizen, we have a duty to contribute to the alleviation of poverty, bring about equality, while ensuring that our conduct as a business does not degenerate but protect our environment,” Smit said.  He maintained that sustainable solutions that will change lives can only be created through unity of purpose. 

On her part Phororo indicated: “This partnership with MTC presents a significant leap forward in our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda in Namibia.  “By harnessing the power of digital innovation and MTC’s extensive reach, we can empower communities, accelerate economic growth, and build a more sustainable and equitable future for all Namibians.”

The two partners emphasised that their partnership will focus on key areas of fostering economic recovery and technological progress aligned with Namibia’s national development plans, including NDP 6, Vision 2030, Agenda 2063 and the UN Cooperation Framework for 2025-2029.

They further stressed that, the collaboration centres around four strategic pillars, which are, effective governance and public service delivery, economic recovery, transformation, and resilience, sustainable development and green growth as well as human development and community resilience.

Director General of the National Planning Commission, Dr Kaire Mbuende advised Namibian institutions to incorporate national socio-economic programmes that are aligned with the country’s SDGs and the country’s development agenda, in their businesses.