By:Staff writer
Paratus Namibia has signed a partnership deal in which it has branded three shops in informal areas in Windhoek where its Mobile LTE services are advertised and sold.
The three existing shops in Soweto, Otjomuise and Okuryangava sell Paratus products and services to a previously untapped market; community members given training, jobs, and commission; community site owners receive income; convenience for informal sector residents to buy telecommunication services.
The stores are independently owned and managed by local shop owners, while the Paratus branding and marketing is facilitated by Namots, a marketing company that created a business solution for the informal sector with professionally managed retail outlets where the branding has impact and where people can shop conveniently near their homes.
Paratus Namibia Managing Director Andrew Hall said the initiative was just the beginning.
“We plan to open more shops soon. With approximately 1.8 million of Namibia’s total population believed to be ‘untapped’, this presents an enormous opportunity for the Paratus brand. This is a workable and fully tested mechanism that not only reaches but also educates and provides services to an untapped market,”Hall said.
“Through this ideal solution, we are also giving back to those communities at the same time and that is what makes this partnership a win-win for everyone,” he added.
He further said the positive of the partnership is that the company will stand out in the communities.
“Our brand will have tremendous impact as we serve new communities with the Paratus product range. This initiative aligns with the Paratus vision to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and customer service.
“We will be on the ground where it matters giving communities the services they need. Now that we have landed the Equiano subsea cable in Swakopmund, there will be 20 times more internet capacity available and this means there will be more options for more people to be connected. The wins around this just keep coming.”
Mark Colley established Namots after identifying the opportunity for brands and businesses to reach the informal sector.
“Our outlets are strategically located in the heart of the community. They are an effective and affordable billboard for our customers; and they are enormously successful. The fact that we train people in the community to run the stores and pay rental to community owners of the sites is important because this also contributes to promoting brand loyalty while providing critically needed jobs. We manage and monitor the outlet’s transactions and report to our clients on a monthly basis,” Colley said.