By: Hee-Dee Walenga
Canopus Technologies (CanTech), a local internet service provider (ISP), entered the market with the objective of bridging the digital gap.
Founded in 2023 by Managing Director Nerro Nendongo, the company serves as an example of Namibian youth taking it upon themselves to solve societal problems via entrepreneurship.
Speaking on Eagle FM during the Business & Economic Segment – presented by Basecamp Business Incubator – CanTech Communications Officer Faith Tjambari outlined how the young & wholly Namibian-owned company is on a mission to provide internet access to all Namibians.
Nendongo started his ISP journey at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) by providing internet access to his fellow students via hotspot. “He eventually asked himself ‘why don’t I sell internet, instead of charging for hotspots all the time?’” Tjambari explained.
CanTech is a local ISP that provides access, primarily to rural areas, for as little as N$250 per month. For residents who cannot afford the wifi packers, CanTech offers hotspots located in Single Quarters and the Augustenium Secondary School in Windhoek.
“We also sell internet vouchers for as little as N$6 that provide connectivity for 12 hours,” Tjambari stated. Members of the public can also earn extra income by becoming CanTech voucher resellers via their reseller programme.
Moreover, Tjambari explained how difficult the early stages of business were for the company. “Getting the required licences, deciding on whom we wanted to cater to, choosing the prices, and what we wanted the brand to represent was very tough in the beginning. However, laying that foundation early on put us where we are today,” indicated Tjambari.
Speaking to achievements which followed said difficulties, Tjambari highlighted how acquiring their licence had been one of the highlights of the young company. “Getting that licence was one of our biggest successes because it brought Mr. Nendongo’s vision to life,” she stated.
CanTech provides agrismart solutions by helping farmers digitalise their irrigation systems with Internet of Things (IoT) embedded sensors and smart tags. This allows farmers to monitor their crop production and livestock levels.
CanTech is one of the numerous companies that have received support from the Basecamp Business Incubator. “Basecamp has helped us shift the company from being a solely tech-focused company to finding more meaning behind the company. We have also made plenty of connections with people and other companies because of Basecamp,” the Communications Officer stated.
Visit CanTech at http://www.cantech.com.na/
