Niël Terblanché
Namibia is making good progress in its journey towards becoming a digitally inclusive society and through sustained collaboration and investment in ICT infrastructure and human capital, the country is ready to unlock the potential of the next generation of innovators.
The eighth National ICT Summit held in Windhoek concluded on Wednesday with a call for young Namibians to take centre stage in the country’s digital transformation journey.
The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Modestus Amutse, stressed the essential role that the youth must play in shaping Namibia’s future within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
“The significance of creating platforms for young people to develop their talents and ideas in the digital space cannot be overstressed,” he said.
He added that ICT policymakers, experts and innovators must dedicate their focus to young people and the role they have to play in the ICT space.
“Namibia’s youth form the backbone of the country’s population and should be empowered through mentorship, networking, and collaborative opportunities in ICT,” he said.
A key feature of this year’s summit was the focus on AI, with young innovators participating in hackathons aimed at developing AI-driven solutions for government operations.
One such initiative is the creation of a Media Engagement Platform, designed to enhance service delivery through an online registration portal for media practitioners, as well as a feedback mechanism for government agencies.
According to Amutse, these innovations are set to improve government interaction with the media, particularly as Namibia prepares for the implementation of the Access to Information Act.
He praised the creativity and technical abilities demonstrated by the young participants.
“The government has trust in its own talent and promotes the use of home-grown technologies,” underscoring Namibia’s commitment to nurturing local expertise and encouraging youth to take ownership of their innovations,” he said.
He also called for greater collaboration between academia, industry leaders, and financial institutions to support the youth’s endeavours.
“Government on its own cannot assist these great minds and innovations; it should be a collective effort between the public and private sector,” he added.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the importance of cybersecurity awareness, especially in the wake of rising cyber threats.
He encouraged Namibians to remain vigilant and participate in the Ministry of ICT’s cybersecurity sessions, which aim to equip individuals and organisations with skills to protect themselves online.
“One day, we will live in the Namibia we have always envisioned, a Namibia where youth-led innovation and digital transformation play a pivotal role in its socio-economic development,” he said.
