Windhoek: NamPost on Friday opened the Nkurenkuru Post Office and handed over ICT equipment to two community centres in Kavango West, in efforts to help expand access to financial and digital services for rural residents.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus emphasized that the equipment for community libraries and centres is a practical demonstration of the government's commitment to inclusion. "NamPost has, for decades, been an institution that connects Namibians. Today, it is also evolving into a broader platform for service access, financial inclusion, digital convenience, and economic participation," she said.
Theofelus highlighted that the launch aligns with the National Development Plan and the goal of "leaving no one behind." She referred to the 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey, which indicates that financial inclusion improved from 78% in 2017 to 86% in 2025, yet rural gaps persist. She noted, "A total 91.7% of adults in urban areas are financially included, compared to only 79.3% in rural areas," adding that some rural residents still travel over three hours to access a bank.
With the new digital devices, residents may not need to make such lengthy journeys. "These figures show why institutions such as NamPost matter. A trusted national footprint, combined with responsible digital innovation, can help close the distance between citizens and the services they need," she stated. The minister also pointed out that community libraries and centres are crucial starting points for digital engagement.
She urged the community to protect and make good use of the equipment, hoping these centres will become hubs for skills development, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo praised NamPost's donation of computers, printers, and mobile internet, valued at approximately N.dollars 1.1 million. The initiative will begin at Nkurenkuru and Katjinakatji and later extend to other centres. "This is more than equipment. It is an investment in access, dignity, and opportunity," Sinimbo remarked, emphasizing the need for digital literacy training and the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
NamPost CEO Willem Mouton revealed that the Nkurenkuru branch is one of 12 additional service points opened over the past 10 months, increasing the national footprint to 148 outlets. He noted that the expanded network supports the Social Cash Grants Programme, which benefits over 250,000 Namibians with monthly support.