MICT Namibia

KHAI’RE DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN AUS | The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, highlighted the importance of reliable internet connections in bringing communities across Namibia closer together. She encouraged people to use digital platforms to grow their businesses, communicate more easily and create income-generating opportunities. She also pointed out that digital skills can help Namibians access jobs with international companies through remote work, without having to leave the country.

Speaking at the launch of the Khai’Re (Rise-Up) Digital Scholarship Programme at Marmer Primary School Hall in Aus, the Minister said that having access to technology is not enough. Young people also need the right skills and training to make use of digital platforms to find employment and start or grow businesses.

Huawei Technologies Board Director, Jason Xu, said Namibia's digital development should benefit young people in all regions through digital skills training, innovation and greater involvement of women and girls in technology. He reaffirmed Huawei's commitment to working with NAMPA, Government and other stakeholders to improve ICT skills and create practical learning opportunities for young people.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Jata Kazondu, said the partnership between NAMPA and Huawei would help connect classroom learning with the skills needed in the ICT industry. He noted that the partnership would give learners and other individuals an opportunity to gain practical technology skills, support their professional growth and contribute to Namibia's technological development. Kazondu also revealed that 50 learners had already registered on the platform.

The Khai’Re Digital Scholarship Programme aims to train 1,000 ICT learners and business practitioners, develop 200 women in technology and provide technical ICT training for young people across Namibia every year for the next five years.

HON. WENZEL KAVAKA OFFICIATES IGNITE NAMIBIA LAUNCH | Hon. Wenzel Kavaka Deputy Minister of information and Communications Technology, officially launched Ignite Namibia, on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at a breakfast event hosted at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Hotel school.

Ignite Namibia is aimed at helping Namibia’s education sector and creative youth thrive hand in hand. Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Kavaka commended Ignite Namibia’s collaboration and partnerships with Namibian institutions such as AMATA, and college of the Arts. Ignite Namibia has partnered up with AMATA, to produce, package, brand and distribute locally sourced water, while they have also partnered up with College of the arts to not only produce merchandise but produce a Namibian made pencil made out of materials that have been locally sourced, including graphite from a local mine in Otjiwarongo. Hon. Kavaka lauded this approach as an economic asset that can be developed, commercialised, and connected to local and international markets.

He further called on Namibians and government institutions to back local production, noting that Namibia has the resources, capability, and entrepreneurial potential to produce more of what it consumes. He further noted that, supporting local production means supporting local businesses, creating employment and retaining more economic value within the country’s economy.

Speaking on the History and vision of Ignite Namibia, Board chairperson Mr. Obed Emvula described Ignite Namibia, as more than just another organisation, calling it an opportunity to rethink the place of creativity in Namibia's economic and social development.

Further noting that the initiative seeks to encourage the private sector to see the creative industries not as a corporate social responsibility project or simple entertainment, but as an emerging economic force and an essential part of national identity. He further stated that Namibia's stories, music, design, heritage, innovation, and young creative minds are economic assets that continue shaping how Namibians see themselves, how the world sees them, and how the country participates in the global economy.

ADVANCING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION THROUGH FINANCIAL SECTOR COLLABORATION | On 10 November 2026, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), Ms. Linda Nakale, attended the Financial Sector Council Advisory Body (FSCAB) meeting, chaired by the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Mr. Ebson Uanguta, and deputised by NAMFISA.

The Advisory Body brings together key public and private sector stakeholders to provide strategic guidance, strengthen coordination and oversee progress in implementing the Namibia Financial Sector Transformation Strategy 2025–2035.

During the meeting, the Ministry presented progress on digital transformation and innovation, highlighting key developments across the Ministry and various ICT players. Particular emphasis was placed on advancements in Digital Public Infrastructure, including the readiness for the implementation the Electronic Identification and the launch of the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which enables the use of legally recognised electronic signatures in Namibia. These developments are important in supporting secure digital transactions, improving service delivery and accelerating the digitalisation of financial services.

As the Ministry responsible for driving Namibia’s digital transformation agenda, MICT welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Advisory Body and support efforts to build a more innovative, accessible and digitally enabled financial sector.

The Ministry recognises the importance of collaboration across government, regulators and the financial industry in addressing common challenges and advancing digital transformation. Its participation in the Advisory Body represents another important step towards ensuring that digital infrastructure and innovation translate into more efficient, secure and inclusive financial services for all Namibians.

NAMIBIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AT ITU CONFERENCE | On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, delivered Namibia’s policy statement at the 22nd International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar.

In her address, the Minister highlighted Namibia’s commitment to expanding universal and meaningful connectivity, advancing rural digital transformation, strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity capacity, and promoting digital inclusion. She noted that while Namibia has achieved over 89 per cent mobile broadband population coverage, challenges relating to affordability, digital literacy, access to devices and local content remain.

The Minister further emphasised the importance of connecting rural communities, creating opportunities for young people, and ensuring equal access to digital opportunities for women, girls and persons with disabilities. She also highlighted Namibia’s commitment to connecting all public schools and clinics by 2030.

Namibia reaffirmed its commitment to working with fellow ITU Member States towards a secure, inclusive and accessible digital future, where everyone can participate meaningfully in the digital society by 2031.

NAMIBIA HOSTS REGIONAL GEOSPATIAL LEADERS FOR KEY RCMRD MEETINGS | Namibia is hosting the 60th Technical Committee and Governing Council meetings of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), bringing together Surveyors-General from 20 member states to deliberate on regional cooperation, geospatial development and the sustainable management of land and natural resources.

The meetings, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform at the Sea Side Hotel in Swakopmund, are taking place from 8 to 11 November 2026 for the Technical Committee meeting, followed by the 60th Governing Council meeting from 12 to 13 November 2026.

On 9 November 2026, Botswana officially handed over the chairmanship to Namibia, which will also host the 14th Conference of Ministers from 16 to 17 November 2026. Namibia last hosted the RCMRD Conference of Ministers in 2002.

The Technical Committee meeting provides a platform for Surveyors-General from the 20 member states to discuss developments and challenges affecting the land and natural resources sectors across East and Southern Africa. The meeting will also assess RCMRD’s performance over the past year, consider and approve its work plan for the coming year, and identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration between member states and the Centre.

Speaking on the importance of embracing innovation in the sector, Namibia’s Surveyor-General, Ndilipunye Valdo Shanyengana, emphasised the need to leverage emerging technologies to strengthen geospatial information systems and improve their responsiveness to the continent’s development needs.

“We need to embrace emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to ensure our mapping resources are dynamic, responsive, and capable of addressing Africa’s ever-increasing challenges,” said Shanyengana.
Reliable geospatial information plays a critical role in national and regional development, informing decisions on infrastructure development, land registration, census planning and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Through the RCMRD engagements, member states are expected to strengthen regional partnerships and advance the use of geospatial technologies in addressing shared development priorities across Africa.