Namibia looks to launch its CBDC

Kon’nichiwa,

Victoria from Techpoint Africa,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

Namibia looks to launch its CBDC
Safaricom sued for alleged unfair dealer contracts
Namibia’s telecom sector surpasses $43M in data revenue

Namibia looks to launch its CBDC

Namibia is looking into launching its central bank digital currency (CBDC) to improve cross-border payments and boost financial inclusion. The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is still in the early stages, figuring out if a CBDC would actually solve the country’s payment challenges. This comes after a recent technical assistance mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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The IMF, however, isn’t sold on the idea just yet. While it supports BoN’s research, it has advised against rushing into a full rollout. Instead, the IMF recommends that Namibia focus on improving its existing payment infrastructure before taking on the complexities of a digital currency. It also argues that a retail CBDC (rCBDC) wouldn’t necessarily improve financial inclusion in the way Namibia hopes.

Still, BoN is pressing forward, holding discussions with central banks in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa to explore whether a CBDC could make cross-border payments smoother. The bank says it’s taking the IMF’s recommendations seriously, using them to refine its approach before making any final decisions.

Namibia first floated the idea of a digital Namibian dollar back in 2022, releasing a consultative paper on CBDCs. Since then, not much has happened apart from its ongoing discussions with neighbouring central banks about potential use cases. This cautious approach makes sense, considering how other African nations have struggled with CBDCs.

Take Nigeria’s eNaira, launched in 2021; it hasn’t exactly been a success story. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe tried a different approach in 2023, introducing a gold-backed digital currency to counter the rapid devaluation of its local currency. Ghana, on the other hand, has been working on its eCedi for years but has yet to roll it out, despite successful pilots.

So, will Namibia go all in on a CBDC, or will it follow the IMF’s advice and focus on strengthening its existing systems first? For now, BoN is playing it safe, carefully weighing its options before making any bold moves.

Safaricom sued for alleged unfair dealer contracts

Source: RegTech Africa

What happened? Safaricom is back in the spotlight, this time facing a lawsuit from Goodweek Inter-Services Limited, one of its long-time dealers. Goodweek claims that Safaricom used its market power to push unfair contract terms, ultimately leading to the non-renewal of their dealership agreement.

The case, now in Kenya’s High Court, also ropes in Vodafone Plc, Vodafone Kenya Limited, and Mobitelea Ventures Limited as respondents.

Here’s the backstory: This all started in April 2024 when Goodweek’s access to Safaricom’s dealer portal was cut off after its contract expired. Safaricom says it was just following standard procedure; Goodweek didn’t renew its contract, while over 400 other dealers did. But Goodweek isn’t buying that explanation.

The company argues that Safaricom deliberately set unrealistic sales targets and forced dealers into one-sided agreements that allowed the telco to terminate contracts whenever it wanted.

For instance, Goodweek was required to register 20,700 new subscribers in 2023 but only managed 17,322. They claim such high targets were a setup to justify cutting commissions and other dealer benefits. Now, they’re taking the fight to court, arguing that Safaricom’s actions not only hurt dealers but also abuse its dominance in the market.

This isn’t the first time Safaricom has faced legal trouble over its business practices. In 2018, a group of agents sued the telco, accusing it of unfairly cutting them off from M-PESA services. The Competition Authority of Kenya has also investigated Safaricom multiple times over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, especially regarding mobile money services.

Safaricom, for its part, is questioning why Vodafone and Mobitelea are being dragged into the case, suggesting that Goodweek might be trying to shift the dispute from commercial arbitration to a constitutional matter. If the court rules in Goodweek’s favour, it could shake things up for Safaricom and set a precedent for other dealers to challenge their contracts.

Whatever happens, this case could redefine how major telecom operators deal with their agents in Kenya. If Goodweek wins, Safaricom and other telcos might have to rethink how they structure their dealer agreements or risk more legal battles down the line.

Namibia’s telecom sector surpasses $43M in data revenue

Namibia’s telecom industry is booming, raking over N$800 million ($43 million) in data revenue in Q3 2024. That’s a leap and a clear sign that data services have officially taken over as the biggest money-maker for telecom operators.

Just a few years ago, voice services dominated, but now, thanks to more affordable data plans, smartphone adoption, and the rise of digital content, data revenue makes up 70% of total mobile service earnings, way up from 46% in 2018.

This shift isn’t just happening in Namibia; it’s a continent-wide trend. In Nigeria, MTN saw a massive 52.3% spike in data revenue last quarter, driven by social media, streaming, and remote work. Meanwhile, Orange’s Middle East and Africa operations recorded their sixth straight quarter of double-digit growth. It’s clear that across Africa, mobile internet is becoming the backbone of telecom profits.

To keep up with this demand, Namibian telecom companies are going all in on infrastructure. Telecom Namibia, the state-owned provider, is rolling out a nationwide 4G upgrade and even looking into 5G for urban areas. The government is also pushing policies that encourage competition and innovation, making it easier for people to get connected. The National Broadband Policy, for example, aims to extend internet access to even the most remote corners of the country.

Of course, there are still challenges. Rural connectivity is a major issue, with large areas still lacking decent Internet access. To fix this, telecom operators are exploring satellite internet and community networks to close the gap. On top of that, with more people online, cybersecurity is a growing concern. The government is working on new laws to protect users’ data and ensure digital platforms operate securely.

Beyond just making it easier to scroll through TikTok or binge-watch Netflix, this surge in data usage has serious economic benefits. Faster, cheaper Internet means more job opportunities, better eCommerce growth, and improved access to essential services like healthcare and education. If Namibia stays on this path, expanding infrastructure, keeping competition healthy, and addressing these challenges, it could become a digital powerhouse in Africa.

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In other news, Namibia is making travel easier by introducing visas on arrival starting April 1. The new policy is designed to attract international investors and tourists, cutting red tape and making the country more business-friendly.

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