Patience Makwele
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia can no longer afford to remain a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, as the government intensifies efforts to position the country as a producer of innovation, scientific knowledge and digital solutions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Science Exhibition Hall and the upgraded Rössing Foundation Ondangwa Digital Technology Hub on Wednesday, the President said science, technology and innovation will play a critical role in driving industrialisation, creating opportunities for young people and transforming the economy.
“As Namibians, we cannot afford to be mere consumers of technology developed elsewhere. We must become creators, innovators and producers of knowledge,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Her remarks come days before her state visit to China, where she will be accompanied by Namibian business leaders in an effort to strengthen bilateral and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The President said education, science and innovation remain central to the government’s ambition of building a knowledge-based economy capable of competing in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation.
“We are living in an era defined by rapid technological advancement. Artificial intelligence, automation and digital innovation are reshaping economies and societies across the globe,” she said.
The inauguration formed part of a broader investment aimed at expanding access to science and technology education in northern Namibia.
According to Rössing Uranium managing director Johan Coetzee, the company invested N$37 million over the past two years in upgrading the facility and constructing the new science exhibition hall.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to responsible mining and our belief that sustainable development begins with empowering people through knowledge and skills,” Coetzee said.
He said the upgraded hub would provide learners, educators, entrepreneurs and community members with access to modern technology, digital learning tools and innovation opportunities.
“In an increasingly digital world, access to technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity,” he said.
Coetzee added that the facility forms part of Rössing Uranium’s broader vision of leaving a legacy that extends beyond mining.
“While our uranium has powered economies and supported industries around the world, our most enduring contribution must be the opportunities we create for Namibians,” he said.
The project was supported through partnerships involving the Rössing Foundation, Rössing Uranium, the China National Nuclear Corporation and the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China.
Chinese embassy ministerial counsellor Shen Jian said the facility is expected to benefit between 20,000 and 30,000 learners and community members, while potentially reaching between 60,000 and 80,000 people through its programmes and activities.
He described the investment as timely, saying it aligns with the Namibian government’s emphasis on education and youth empowerment.
“I applaud Rössing Uranium for answering the call of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Namibian government through this major donation,” Shen said.
He further encouraged more Chinese companies operating in Namibia to strengthen their social responsibility initiatives and contribute towards community development.
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said the facility represents more than a physical structure.
“Today we celebrate more than the opening of a building. We celebrate a vision. We celebrate an investment in knowledge, innovation and human potential,” he said.
Iipinge said the success of the centre would ultimately be measured by the number of young people it empowers.
“The true success will not be measured by the beauty of its infrastructure but by the number of young minds inspired, innovations developed, careers launched and lives transformed through its programmes,” he said.
The President also defended the government’s decision to fully subsidise registration and tuition fees for qualifying students at universities and vocational training centres, describing education as one of the most powerful tools available to transform lives, reduce inequality and drive sustainable economic growth.
She said the value of the new facility would not be measured by its buildings or equipment but by the innovations and opportunities it creates for future generations.
“Its true value will be measured by the young minds it inspires, the innovations it produces and the opportunities it creates for generations to come,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
