STAFF WRITER
Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus has called on NamPost to play a bigger role in reducing financial exclusion among Namibians living in rural areas.
Speaking at the opening of a new NamPost branch in Nkurenkuru last week, Theofelus said NamPost’s trusted national footprint, combined with responsible digital innovation, can help bring essential financial services closer to communities.
She said NamPost’s role in promoting financial inclusion is important for Namibia.
Theofelus cited the 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey, recently released by the Namibia Statistics Agency, which shows that Namibia is making steady progress in financial inclusion.
The survey found that Namibia’s financial inclusion rate increased from 78% in 2017 to 86% in 2025, with approximately 1.56 million adults now using formal or informal financial products and services.
However, the survey also shows a clear gap between rural and urban access to banking facilities.
“The gap between urban and rural access remains clear: 91.7% of adults in urban areas are financially included, compared to 79.3% in rural areas, and 28.3% of rural residents travel more than three hours to reach a bank. These figures show why institutions such as NamPost matter,” she said.
Theofelus said the opening of the Nkurenkuru Post Office, together with the rollout of 12 additional NamPost points of representation across the country, goes beyond expanding infrastructure.
“It is a deliberate step towards bringing trusted financial services closer to households, entrepreneurs, pensioners and communities that need them most,” she said.
She said the new services provide a local gateway through which people can save, transact, receive support, access agency services and participate more confidently in the formal economy.
NamPost is also complementing its physical presence with the launch of value-added services on the MyNamPost Banking App.
“Customers can now access everyday services such as airtime, data bundles, electricity, water and digital PostPay money orders more conveniently, while retaining the reassurance of a national branch network where support remains available,” Theofelus said.
She said the combination of physical reach and digital convenience is central to meaningful financial inclusion.
“By expanding practical value-added services while continuing to invest in community presence, NamPost is demonstrating that innovation can be inclusive, responsible and rooted in service to the people,” she said.
Theofelus said the Ministry of ICT will continue working to expand broadband, lower data costs and roll out more digital services.
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