Namibia Launches National Digital Strategy and Emergency Telecommunications Plan
The NETP is designed to leverage telecommunications to improve the country's disaster risk management.
The Namibian government has officially launched two key documents to drive the nation’s digital future: the National Digital Strategy (NDS) and the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP). The launch event in Windhoek, hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), was attended by key stakeholders from government, industry, and development partners.
The NETP is designed to leverage telecommunications to improve the country’s disaster risk management. It will guide the ICT sector’s support for disaster detection, mitigation, and response, ensuring that communication remains a reliable lifeline during crises. The plan outlines a framework for unhindered communication during emergencies, complementing existing legislation like the Disaster Risk Management Act.
Simultaneously, the NDS serves as a comprehensive blueprint for Namibia’s digital transformation. According to Acting Executive Director of the MICT, Ms. Linda Aipinge-Nakale, the strategy outlines a “bold vision for Namibia” over the next three years. Its key objectives include:
- Bridging the digital divide.
- Promoting digital literacy.
- Providing citizen-centric digital public services.
- Fostering digital innovation for economic opportunities.
The launch marks the beginning of the implementation phase for both documents. Mr. Philemon Johannes, Deputy Director of IT Infrastructure Development at the MICT, provided an overview of the NETP and its alignment with SADC action lines. He also detailed the roadmap for the NDS, which aims to empower citizens, especially the youth, with the skills needed to succeed in the fourth industrial revolution.
Minister Malatsi also used the opportunity to announce the formation of a working group that will be responsible for spearheading the implementation of both the NDS and NETP. The initiative received a round of applause from attendees, with speakers emphasizing that the strategies represent a declaration of our unwavering commitment to harnessing the transformative power of information and communication technologies for the betterment of every Namibian.
