WINDHOEK, Sept. 10 — Namibia is pushing for digital resilience and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth, said Emma Theofelus, minister of Information and Communication Technology, Monday. Speaking at the opening of the 8th National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Summit, Theofelus emphasized the importance of adapting to rapid technological changes. The three-day summit aims to generate discussions on how Namibia can drive innovation and ensure inclusivity in the digital economy. “To thrive in this new digital era, we must not only adapt to technological changes but also build a robust and resilient framework that can withstand the rapid pace of these advancements,” she said. Namibia was recently ranked 9th out of 54 African countries by the International Monetary Fund in terms of AI adoption readiness which Theofelus said indicates that Namibia has made significant progress in developing the infrastructure and environment necessary to leverage AI technologies.
While noting that AI holds “immense potential to transform industries, enhance productivity and solve complex problems,” Theofelus warned of the challenges, including ethical concerns and data protection. “As we embrace AI, we must ensure that its deployment is transparent, ethical, and aligned with our national values and priorities,” she said. Namibia is finalizing the Data Protection and Cybercrime Bills to protect personal information and secure the country’s digital infrastructure. Theofelus also urged public and private institutions to prioritize the digitization of services, enabling citizens to access services more easily. To ensure inclusivity in digital transformation, she emphasized the importance of education and digital literacy, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “A skilled workforce is crucial. Prioritizing education and training in digital skills, including STEM education and digital literacy, ensure that citizens are equipped to thrive in the digital economy,” she added.
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