Audrin Mathe at the 2025 Tech Huddle, Windhoek, 11 June 2025
We gather today to celebrate not just our achievements, but our shared vision for a digitally transformed Namibia. As we stand at the threshold of unprecedented technological advancement, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) remains steadfast in our mandate: to lay the foundation for the accelerated use and development of ICT in Namibia and coordinate information management within the government.
Our vision extends beyond mere technological adoption. We envision a Namibia where digital literacy becomes as fundamental as reading and writing, where high-speed connectivity is recognised as a right rather than a privilege, and where every Namibian citizen can participate meaningfully in the global digital economy.
Our digital transformation efforts have garnered significant international recognition. The International Monetary Fund’s ranking of Namibia as the ninth most prepared African nation for artificial intelligence adoption in 2024 reflects our strategic approach to creating a conducive environment for emerging technologies. This achievement did not occur in isolation: it represents the culmination of systematic policy development, infrastructure investment and strategic partnerships.
Our commitment to universal connectivity has materialised through substantial infrastructure investments. The allocation of N$40 million to the Universal Service and Access Fund for the 2025 financial year represents our dedication to expanding digital infrastructure in underserved areas. This investment directly supports our goal of achieving a national standard for entry-level broadband of a minimum of 25mbps for download and 3mbps for upload speeds which will be introduced in 2026.
The partnership with the industry has accelerated critical infrastructure projects, including fibre to the X and radio access network roll-outs. These initiatives are integral to expanding and modernising our network infrastructure to meet growing connectivity demands whilst ensuring that all new mobile base stations are 5G-enabled, positioning Namibia at the forefront of next-generation mobile connectivity.
As we advance our digital transformation agenda, we recognise that cybersecurity is not an afterthought but a fundamental pillar of our strategy. Our discussions with partners have emphasised the urgent need to strengthen national data protection and establish resilient digital safeguards. As cyberthreats evolve, so too must our capacity to defend against them, ensuring that our digital infrastructure remains secure and trustworthy for all users.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Salt Essential IT represents a significant public-private partnership in Namibia’s cybersecurity landscape. This strategic alliance focuses on implementing a joint national cybersecurity strategy and awareness campaign designed to influence safer online behaviour and instil a culture of cyber-hygiene amongst Namibian citizens, with the ultimate goal of averting cybercrime incidents across Namibia.
The partnership has manifested in a comprehensive programme of free public cybersecurity awareness training sessions, delivered virtually every Friday from 10h00 to 11h00, featuring an eight-week structured curriculum that covers essential topics ranging from threat identification and prevention strategies to incident management and building human firewalls against cyberattacks.
The Namibia LEAP Digital Talent Programme, launched through our partnership with Huawei Technologies Namibia in August 2024, exemplifies our approach to building local capacity whilst leveraging international expertise. This programme is designed to equip young Namibians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy.
Through this partnership, we are cultivating local ICT talent, creating new internship opportunities for students and laying the foundation for a new generation of innovators, developers and problem-solvers. Our vision is ambitious yet achievable: to move a digitally illiterate young Namibian through progressive stages of digital literacy to become a fully digitally skilled expert. We know this transformation is possible because it has been accomplished elsewhere. We need only to commit the necessary resources to ensure young Namibians access these opportunities.
Our digital strategy focuses on four core areas that require sustained private sector collaboration:
- Digital literacy must become as fundamental as reading and writing. We call upon our partners to join us in making basic digital skills accessible to every Namibian, regardless of their geographic location or socio-economic background.
- Universal connectivity demands that access to fast internet becomes a right, not a privilege. Our partnerships with telecommunications firms and ICT companies are essential to achieving this goal, particularly in reaching underserved communities.
- Training and capacity building requires industry-led programmes that align with national capacity-building goals. We welcome partnerships that create pipelines of locally trained developers, network specialists and ICT professionals.
- Innovation ecosystems need direct investment in start-up support systems, incubators and technology hubs. We envision a Namibia where start-ups thrive, where innovation is supported and where our youth perceive ICT not only as a field of study but as a field of opportunity.
The Namibian Innovation Hub stands as a national beacon of innovation, dedicated to advancing innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs. This institution empowers Namibian entrepreneurs to evolve their ground-breaking ideas from concept to market readiness, providing crucial preparation for investment opportunities and catalysing growth that enables scalability.
Our innovation ecosystem extends beyond a single institution. The Basecamp Business Incubator supports early-stage Namibian start-ups, whilst the Faculty of Computing and Informatics at the Namibia University of Science and Technology operates an inclusive and collaborative local tech innovation hub. The Namibia Business Innovation Institute stimulates innovation, entrepreneurship and social well-being through exploring, researching and developing ideas.
We call upon telecommunications firms, ICT companies and educational institutions to join us in developing long-term support for digital innovation. We seek partners who will help establish innovation hubs, incubators and centres of excellence that align with our national development goals.
As we look toward the future, our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that no Namibian is left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With unity of purpose and partnership, we will continue to build a digitally inclusive, secure and connected Namibia.
The journey ahead requires sustained collaboration between government and private sector partners. We must work together to develop sustainable ICT policies and strategies that align with our national development goals while contributing to regional and global digital advancement.
We call upon all stakeholders to invest in people, particularly young Namibians, and to work collectively to ensure that our digital transformation benefits every citizen. Together, we will transform our society into a digital future that allows our next generations and those to come to thrive and continue pushing our country forward in this global village. The foundation we build today will determine Namibia’s position in the digital economy of tomorrow.
Tech Huddle 2025 is one such initiative that aligns with the government’s efforts towards digital transformation. The Tech Huddle celebrates innovation, collaboration and boundless potential of technology to transform lives. Today, you will hear from pioneers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and digital empowerment.
I invite each of you to join us in this transformative journey. Whether you represent the private sector, international organisations or civil society, your partnership is essential to achieving our shared vision of a digitally empowered Namibia.
Together, we will ensure that Namibia not only adapts to the digital age but leads it. Today’s event is a reflection of what is possible when government, industry and community come together. It is a space to share ideas, challenge assumptions and spark the kind of innovation that serves not only business, but serves people.
Thank you.
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