Africa-Press – Namibia. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus has called on Namibians, particularly the elderly, to migrate from traditional “tamagosh” button phones and adopt smartphones as the country transitions into a new era of advanced technology.
During her visit to Olupaka village in the Omusati region, the minister said that while MTC and the government are working to upgrade the country’s network through Project Buffalo, these efforts will have limited impact if citizens continue using devices that only support outdated 2G and 3G technology.
“It is no use upgrading our network towers if people are still using phones that only support 1G, 2G, or 3G. We are moving into a world of 4G and 5G, and we encourage everyone, especially our elderly to start adapting by using smartphones. This will ensure that no one is left behind as technology evolves,” Theofelus stressed.
Project Buffalo, launched on 1 October 2025, is a partnership between MTC and the government aimed at enhancing network quality, strengthening connectivity, and expanding coverage in areas with weak signal.
The initiative supports Namibia’s broader goal of embracing smart and reliable technology to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities.
MTC general manager for networks, Ludwig Tjitandi, explained that project buffalo focuses on upgrading existing network towers to improve coverage rather than building new ones every few kilometers.
These improvements are expected to address long-standing connectivity challenges across the country.
Minister Theofelus reassured Olupaka residents that their community has not been forgotten and that network improvements will soon be noticeable.
“We will visit communities like Olupaka to assess the situation on the ground together with residents and ensure that no area is left disconnected,” she said.
The minister also used the opportunity to educate community members on how network infrastructure operates and to caution them against digital scammers.
She further noted that through the Universal Service Fund, government continues to support MTC and Telecom Namibia in extending internet services to schools, clinics, and other public institutions.
Project Buffalo marks a major step in Namibia’s journey toward digital transformation that requires both modern infrastructure and a population ready to embrace the technologies shaping the future.
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