By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
The National Commission on
Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) has reaffirmed its support for
Namibia’s digital transformation with a N$30,000 sponsorship towards the 9th
National ICT Summit, which will focus on using technology to create jobs, empower
young people and reduce poverty.
The sponsorship was formally
handed over by Kevin Fisch, Manager for ICT at NCRST, during the sponsorship
handover and launch of the 9th National ICT Summit held at the Trust Building
in Windhoek. NCRST was also represented by Liz Tashiya, Head of Corporate
Communication and Marketing.
The five-day summit is
scheduled for October 12 to 16, 2026, in Ongwediva under the theme, “Harnessing
ICT for Inclusive Growth: Digital Pathways to Reduce Unemployment and Eradicate
Poverty.”
Opening the event, Linda
Nakale, Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication
Technology (MICT), said technology was no longer a luxury and stressed that
discussions at the summit would extend beyond infrastructure and software to focus
on the people who use technology and how ICT can contribute to employment and
community development.
Nakale called for collective
action among the private sector, public sector, public enterprises, academia,
civil society and other stakeholders to support the government in building an
inclusive digital ecosystem that leaves no Namibian behind.
Delivering the keynote
address, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus
said technology should be regarded as an enabler of meaningful socio-economic
transformation rather than an end in itself.
She said Namibia’s digital
progress should be measured not only by connectivity and access to technology
but also by its ability to improve livelihoods, increase productivity, support
business growth, strengthen public services and create new opportunities for
citizens.
The Minister also called for
greater local participation in the technology sector, urging Namibia to move
beyond consuming technologies developed elsewhere and empower citizens to
build, develop, own and export digital solutions.
She highlighted the need to
create clear pathways from education and learning to skills development,
innovation, enterprise creation, income and employment, while ensuring that
emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are adopted responsibly
and safely.
Partnerships featured
prominently during the launch, with government emphasising that Namibia’s
digital economy cannot be developed by the public sector alone. Cooperation
among government, industry, academia, financial institutions and innovators was
identified as essential to turning technology and innovation into solutions to
national challenges.
