In a move to safeguard Namibia’s resources and prevent financial crime in the country, the government is set to introduce a data protection bill to be tabled in September.
This is according to minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus, who was speaking at the Standard Bank Anti-Financial Crime Conference on Thursday.
Theofelus said the bill will ensure the protection of personal data, respect for privacy, and the security of digital transactions to create a safer environment for online business and to align Namibia with international best practices on data protection.
In addition to the bill, the government is preparing to launch electronic signatures in February 2026 under the Electronic Transactions Act of 2019, carrying the same legal weight as handwritten signatures to enable secure, efficient and legally binding digital transactions.
“Imagine signing a contract from your phone with full legal recognition – no travel, no paper, no delay,” she said.
Theofelus said electronic signatures reduce forgery, enhance traceability and ensure accountability.
“With biometric authentication, like facial recognition or voice signatures, fraud becomes harder to commit and easier to detect,” she said.
