Windhoek, January 26 — Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus has outlined an ambitious agenda for 2026, calling for improved service delivery, ethical digital conduct and accelerated legislative reforms as the Ministry of ICT (MICT) opened the year with a staff engagement at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.
Addressing MICT management, staff, public enterprises and the media, Theofelus congratulated Linda Nandjila Nakale on her appointment as Executive Director of the ministry and commended Emilia Nghikembua on her re-appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).
The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to media freedom, noting that the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. She praised Namibian media houses for their role in keeping the public informed during key national events in 2025, including the inauguration of Namibia’s first female President, elections, and major economic engagements. She urged the media to continue contributing positively to nation-building and social cohesion.
Reflecting on the ministry’s performance, Theofelus said 2025 ended on a high note, with several milestones achieved under the directive of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that government business should be conducted in an “unusual” and results-driven manner.
Among the highlights was progress in the culture and creative industries, where 20 local and international film projects were approved, creating temporary employment for 263 young people. Through the Namibia Film Commission, a Props and Costumes Warehouse was launched in Windhoek, supported by donated wardrobes from the liberation film Namibia – The Struggle for Liberation. The national broadcaster NBC also disbursed funds to freelancers in the creative sector and paid more than N$1.4 million in royalties to the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (NASCAM).
On digital governance, Theofelus raised concern over the misuse of social media, warning that unethical online behaviour fuels misinformation, cyberbullying and privacy violations. While acknowledging the positive role of social media in innovation and economic opportunities, she called for responsible online engagement and urged support for the Ethical Use of Social Media Campaign launched in 2025.
She announced that stakeholder consultations on the draft Cybercrime Bill will resume on 2 February 2026, describing the legislation as critical in addressing technology-facilitated crimes, including online gender-based violence. The minister also confirmed that the Data Protection Bill is ready for resubmission to Cabinet for further processing to Parliament.
On connectivity, Theofelus highlighted government’s investment of N$80 million into the Universal Service Fund, which has enabled the construction of nine communication towers in rural areas across several regions. Schools and clinics within the coverage areas receive free internet access for seven years. She also cited Telecom Namibia’s rollout of mobile sites and fibre-to-home infrastructure, as well as the launch of 5G services by MTC.
Despite the progress, the minister expressed disappointment at the ministry’s 44% score in the 2025 Customer Service Charter Audit, calling the result unacceptable. She said a dedicated customer service team has been identified for training to improve performance in 2026.
Theofelus also stressed the importance of mental wellness in the workplace, urging managers to create supportive environments and reminding staff that the ministry’s leadership remains accessible to those facing challenges.
Concluding her address, she called on public enterprises to deliver tangible value to citizens, strengthen corporate governance and prioritise local procurement to stimulate domestic industries and job creation. She urged staff to be guided by the ministry’s core values of Innovation, Proactivity, Agility, Commitment and Transparency collectively referred to as IMPACT as they carry out their mandate in 2026.
MICT
