Namibia CRAN: Cybersecurity Statistics Q2 2026 Detail Rising Threats

• Namibia's telecommunications sector experienced notable growth in Q2 2026, with active mobile SIM subscriptions reaching approximately 2.79 million.
• The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) reported an 11% increase in overall mobile data usage, driven significantly by social media platforms.
• Cyber vulnerabilities in Namibia surged by 40%, and cyber threat events rose by 57% during the quarter, according to NAM-CSIRT statistics.
• The ICT sector saw a 12% increase in total revenue and attracted approximately N$243 million in investment for network expansion.
• While digital services expanded, traditional sectors like postal services continued to decline, and broadcasting revenue decreased due to a significant drop in advertising.

The significant increase in cyber threats, as detailed by NAM-CSIRT, underscores a critical need for enhanced digital resilience across Namibia's expanding online landscape.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) recently released its Quarterly Statistics Bulletin for Quarter Two (Q2) 2026, covering the period from April to June. This CRAN Q2 2026 bulletin highlights a dual narrative for the nation's digital sector: robust expansion in connectivity and digital services alongside a concerning rise in cybersecurity threats. While telecommunications and internet usage saw continued growth, the report also underscored a significant increase in cyber vulnerabilities, signaling a critical area for attention.

During this quarter, Namibia's telecommunications sector demonstrated positive momentum. Active mobile SIM card subscriptions grew by 2%, reaching approximately 2.79 million, reflecting an expanding user base. Mobile broadband subscriptions also increased by 2%, complemented by a 1% rise in total fixed broadband subscriptions, indicating a sustained demand for internet services across the country. This consistent growth points to Namibia's ongoing progress toward greater digital inclusion, as noted by Mufaro Nesongano, CRAN's Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations.

The CRAN digital services report detailed substantial advancements in internet infrastructure and usage. Fibre connectivity continued its expansion, gradually replacing older technologies such as ADSL. Mobile internet consumption remained strong, with overall mobile data usage climbing by 11% compared to the previous quarter. Social media platforms were key drivers of this demand, with TikTok experiencing the highest growth at 21%, followed by YouTube at 15%, and WhatsApp at 5%.

Economically, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector showed improved performance. Total ICT sector revenue increased by 12% during the quarter, outpacing a 9% rise in sector costs. Investment in telecommunications remained significant, with approximately N$243 million channeled into network expansion and infrastructure development. This growth also translated into job creation, as ICT sector employment rose by 3%, reaching an estimated 2,210 employees by the end of June 2026, further solidifying Namibia telecommunications growth.

Despite the positive growth in connectivity, the CRAN Q2 2026 bulletin also brought to light a sharp increase in cybersecurity concerns. Data from the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) revealed a substantial 40% surge in cyber vulnerabilities during the quarter. Even more critically, cyber threat events escalated by 57%, primarily attributed to an increase in sinkhole-related detections and heightened exposure to vulnerable network services.

These Namibia CRAN cybersecurity statistics Q2 2026 indicate a rapidly evolving threat landscape. The significant increase in cyber threats, as detailed by NAM-CSIRT, underscores a critical need for enhanced digital resilience across Namibia's expanding online landscape. This rise in cyber vulnerabilities 2026 highlights the urgent necessity for businesses and organizations to re-evaluate their data protection measures, incident response protocols, and overall cyber resilience strategies to mitigate heightened compliance and operational risks.

Beyond telecommunications, the report also captured shifts in other communication sectors. The broadcasting sector saw pay television subscriptions increase by 6%, surpassing 147,000 subscribers. However, overall broadcasting revenue declined by 6%, largely due to a substantial 57% decrease in advertising revenue. Meanwhile, the postal sector continued its long-term decline in traditional services, with occupied post boxes falling by 22% and private bag occupancy down by 29%, although postal operating revenue remained stable.

Mufaro Nesongano emphasized that while the statistics point to encouraging growth, they also highlight the importance of strengthening cyber resilience and adapting to changing consumer behavior. CRAN remains dedicated to fostering a secure, innovative, and inclusive communications environment, aligning with Namibia's broader digital transformation agenda. The findings from this CRAN digital services report reinforce the ongoing challenge of balancing rapid digital expansion with robust security measures.

This report signals a significant increase in cyber security threats in Namibia, requiring businesses to urgently review their data protection measures, incident response plans, and overall cyber resilience strategies to mitigate heightened compliance and operational risks.

Source: Original reporting via New Era