The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has issued a stark warning: unregistered SIM card holders risk losing their phone numbers permanently if they fail to register by June 30th, 2024. This follows the recent deactivation of over 500,000 unregistered SIM cards in a nationwide crackdown mandated by the country’s telecom regulator.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) initially set a December 31st, 2023 registration deadline, which was later extended to March 30th, 2024. Despite this, a significant number of SIM cards remained unregistered at the new deadline. The Ministry stresses that this June deadline is final and that “individuals with disconnected SIM cards must register…to prevent permanent loss.”
The mandatory registration drive has been met with controversy and pushback from some citizens and human rights groups, who see it as an infringement on privacy and a potential tool for government surveillance.
Telecom companies, including market leader MTC Namibia and state-owned Telecom Namibia, have felt the economic sting of the deactivations. While CRAN’s directive is aimed at combating cybercrime and ensuring national security, operators have lost significant subscriber bases. To encourage people to register, many providers are now offering incentives like free data and minutes.
Namibia is not alone in its stringent SIM card registration policies. Many African countries, such as Ghana, Lesotho, and Nigeria, have implemented similar regulations, citing security concerns and the need to combat fraud. However, the process has often been plagued by delays, technical issues, and questions regarding the necessity and effectiveness of such measures.
Comparison of SIM Registration Regulations in Africa
SIM card registration regulations across Africa reflect a balancing act between security concerns and privacy rights. While some countries like Namibia prioritise swift registration and strict enforcement, others grapple with technical challenges and public resistance. The Southern African country’s June 30th deadline for permanent disconnection reflects a stricter enforcement approach compared to countries like Nigeria with multiple deadline extensions. The effectiveness of these regulations in achieving their intended goals of curbing crime and ensuring national security remains a subject of debate.
