Patience Makwele
Namibians have been urged to take greater advantage of continental partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms to accelerate its digital transformation and strengthen its position in Africa’s digital economy, MTC’s Head of Digital Transformation, Nawa Likando said.
Likando, who is part of the Africa Digital Festival (ADF) Digital Champions Cohort, said Africa’s digital future will depend on collaboration among governments, technology companies, innovators and policymakers rather than countries working in isolation.
“The Africa Digital Festival Digital Champions Cohort is a network of professionals from across the continent who are recognised for their contribution to advancing digital transformation within their respective countries and industries,” Likando told the Young Observer.
“It creates a platform where African practitioners can learn from one another, share practical experiences and collectively shape solutions to challenges that are common across the continent.”
The cohort brings together professionals from sectors including telecommunications, financial services, government, technology and entrepreneurship, with participants recognised for driving digital transformation, building partnerships and delivering practical solutions that create measurable impact.
Likando said his involvement reflects collaborative work which is undertaken by MTC and its partners to advance Namibia’s digital ecosystem through initiatives such as digital identity solutions, partnerships with universities, innovation programmes and the expansion of application programming interface (API) ecosystems.
“I believe the recognition reflects the work we have been driving at MTC alongside a broad ecosystem of partners. These achievements have always been the product of collaboration rather than individual effort,” he said.
He said one of the cohort’s greatest strengths is bringing together professionals facing similar challenges across African markets.
“Many of our priorities are digital identity, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and digital government which are remarkably similar. These conversations accelerate innovation because they are grounded in practical experience rather than theory.”
Likando’s remarks aligned with Namibia’s broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to expand digital public services, strengthen connectivity, improve cybersecurity and promote innovation as drivers of economic growth.
They also reflected growing calls across the continent for stronger cross-border cooperation to build resilient digital economies and position Africa more competitively in the global technology landscape.
He said participation in continental initiatives enables Namibian professionals to return with new ideas, partnerships and practical experience that can strengthen local innovation while showcasing the country’s digital capabilities.
“When Namibian professionals participate in continental initiatives, they bring back valuable insights, partnerships and practical experience that can help accelerate local innovation. They also create opportunities to showcase Namibia as a credible destination for investment, technology partnerships and digital innovation,” he said.
Looking ahead, Likando expressed hope that the Digital Champions Cohort would evolve into a catalyst for developing digital solutions across borders rather than simply exchanging ideas.
“Africa has extraordinary talent, but our greatest opportunity lies in connecting that talent, sharing knowledge and scaling innovations across borders,” he said.
He said Namibia’s relatively small size should be viewed as an advantage, allowing the country to pilot innovative digital solutions that could later be adopted elsewhere on the continent.
“We have the ability to move quickly, build strong partnerships and pilot innovative digital solutions that can later be expanded regionally.”
Likando added that digital transformation is no longer solely about technology but also about leadership, partnerships, skills development and creating solutions that improve people’s lives.
He encouraged young Namibians to pursue careers in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, saying the continent’s digital future would be shaped by the next generation of digital leaders.
“I hope initiatives such as this inspire more young Namibians to pursue careers in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The future of Africa’s digital economy will be built by the next generation and it is important that they see opportunities to contribute both locally and across the continent,” he said.
