Big bucks for state media
Nampa and New Era set to merge
Of the nearly N$900 million allocated to the Ministry of Information in the new fiscal year, almost two-thirds will go to the three state-owned media companies.The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Emma Theofelus presented a total budget of N$898.4 million in Parliament on Tuesday, with the largest share, N$501.9 million, going to the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The NBC needs N$361.8 million for current expenses and an additional N$140 million for its development budget. The state broadcaster has now "hired temporary staff, which has enabled a reduction in operating costs," Theofelus said.
NBC will launch new television channels by the end of March 2026, including a TV channel for parliamentary sessions of the National Assembly and the National Council. One channel will broadcast educational and "priority content" and another channel will be dedicated to local content. In addition, another TV channel will be established for national news coverage and coverage of special events.
Print media
The state-run daily newspaper New Era will receive N$27.5 million for additions and renovations of the editorial building in Windhoek and the branch in Ongwediva. The newspaper's distribution will also be modernised and "expanded with additional functions".
The Namibian Press Agency (Nampa) will receive N$27.7 million. However, Nampa will merge with New Era and become a single company. "This is a cabinet directive," Theofelus explained.
The internet
Namibia's 4G network coverage is 88.4 per cent, a significant increase from 85 per cent in 2022.
According to Theofelus, coverage is higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
In January 2024, internet usage in Namibia was approximately 62.2 per cent, corresponding to approximately 1.63 million users.
In 2022, radio was still used more frequently than television, despite a ten per cent decline compared to 2019. Radio was also the primary news source for a majority of Namibians: 40.7 per cent cited it as their primary news source.
"Unexpectedly, the internet (23.6%) was the second most frequently used source of news. Television (21.2%) and newspapers (12%) were used less than radio or the internet," the minister said.
Theofelus also announced that various segments of legislation, including one on cybersecurity and one on electronic payments, are expected to be implemented soon.