In 2020, MTC launched the MTC Innovation Centre with the aim of creating a hub for testing, building and showcasing new business and consumer ICT applications. Initially based at Maerua Mall in Windhoek, the MTC Innovation Centre served as a physical space for digital and physical tools aimed at driving innovation brought to you by MTC’s Enterprise division. The innovation centre was focused on incubating enterprise-based services ranging from comprehensive fibre internet to digital cloud computing services that will drive digital transformation in the consumer and enterprise space.

In 2021, MTC further showcased its commitment to Namibia’s industrialisation agenda by partnering with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) to launch the High-Tech Transfer Plaza Select (HTTPS) – a technology-inspired hub that will facilitate co-creation, collaboration and co-development between industry, government as well as academia.

Through the HTTPS initiative, MTC extended its innovation capabilities by embedding the research and development strengths of key national academic institutions as well as forging strategic alliances with industry and various stakeholders.

During the last quarter of 2022, MTC will relaunch its Innovation Centre, now located on the 6th floor of the HTTPS building at NUST, as well as a new Mobile Home located on the lower ground retail space of the HTTPS. This strategic move aims to tap into academic thought leadership and extend ICT innovation to the student communities and general public in order to create a more inclusive and sustainable model for technology creation, experimentation and adoption.

From its inception, the MTC Innovation Centre has been rife with ideation and most importantly implementation.

Examples of some of the products and services that bear their roots within the MTC ICT Innovation Centre are listed as follows:

• MTC Verifi – a cutting-edge digital identity service and eKYC depository.
• MTC eVAX – an online vaccination platform launched during MTC’s 2020 VaxUp081 Campaign, in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

• Save My City App – an emergency response and reporting platform connecting utility and service providers with the public, allowing the public to report issues via a digital channel.
• Covid-19 Relief Grant distribution database to support the Ministry of Finance’s emergency income grant during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) In4MSME digital ecosystem to support MSME growth initiatives.