Aipinge-Nakale sets tone at e-signature breakfast 

Linda Aipinge-Nakale, the acting executive director of information and communication technology, at the E-sign Breakfast, Avani Hotel and Casino, Windhoek, 16 September 2025

From the onset, allow me to extend the government’s appreciation to Salt Essential IT for this opportunity and platform to converse on a very important matter as we navigate through the digital landscape.

Namibia’s commitment to digital transformation is rooted in the belief that technology must serve people – empowering citizens, enabling businesses and strengthening public services. 

As we prepare for the nationwide deployment of electronic signatures, we are taking a decisive step toward a future where secure, efficient and accessible digital services are the norm, not an exception.

With the ever-evolving technology, it has become imperative to put in place legislative frameworks that ensure that electronic transactions are secure, trustworthy and inclusive.

In the Namibian context, the Electronic Transactions Act, Act No. 4 of 2019, was enacted to provide legal recognition to electronic communications and transactions. This framework aims to create a legal environment that fosters trust, enhances security and promotes the effective use of electronic signatures. This means that electronic signatures hold the same weight as traditional wet, or simply handwritten, signatures.

With your electronic signatures you can conclude various transactions, from simple agreements to complex contracts, consequently facilitating commerce in the digital economy. The Electronic Transactions Act further provides guidelines on the use of electronic records, ensuring that they are retained, authenticated, and safeguarded against unauthorised access.

As you might be aware, the Electronic Transactions Act was brought into force with the exception of section 20, chapter 4 and chapter 5. However, the operationalisation of these provisions has been put in motion. This includes the appointment of the Electronic Information Systems Management Advisory Council, which was inaugurated and gazetted last year to oversee the implementation of the Act and advise the minister accordingly. This council is putting mechanisms in place to establish the Online Consumer Affairs Committee as provided for in the Act.

The Electronic Signature Regulations, which are critical for our engagement this morning, were developed to provide specific guidance and a framework on the use of electronic signatures. These regulations outline the requirements for the creation, verification, and validation of electronic signatures, ensuring that they are secure and reliable.

A key salient provision of the Electronic Signature Regulations is the requirement for service providers to be accredited. This accreditation process serves critical purposes: ensuring that the technology used for creating electronic signatures is secure and compliant with national standards, and enhancing consumer trust in electronic transactions.

The development of these regulations has been concluded following stakeholder consultations and is now with the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations for certification before publication in the Government Gazette. We are hopeful that this process will be concluded soonest for us to proceed further.

Additionally, the Accreditation of Security Products and Services Regulations have also been developed after stakeholder consultation. These accreditation regulations outline the criteria that security products and service providers must meet to ensure their reliability and effectiveness. By establishing these standards, we are not only promoting best practices but also fostering innovation in the cybersecurity sector.

The government of the Republic of Namibia is committed to creating an environment where security products and services can thrive. The success of this journey depends on all of us – government, business, and civil society – working together. Today is not just about technology; it is about building a culture of digital trust, where every Namibian can sign, transact, and participate online with confidence.

Let us use this opportunity to learn from each other, to ask questions, and to shape a future where Namibia leads in digital trust and innovation. As we look ahead to the nationwide launch of the electronic signature, let us reaffirm our commitment to privacy, security and the rule of law.

This journey is for all of us, and together we can surely build the Namibian digital future we aspire to.

Thank you very much for your kind attention and have a great day ahead.

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