ICT Summit Puts Digital Jobs & Regional Investment in Focus

Namibia is looking to position information and communication technology (ICT) as a driver of job creation, entrepreneurship and regional economic growth, with calls for lower data costs, expanded broadband coverage and increased investment in digital innovation outside Windhoek.

Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Executive Director, Linda Nakale said the 9th National ICT Summit, taking which is set to take place in Ongwediva this week must move beyond discussions on technology towards practical solutions that address unemployment, poverty and economic inequality.

Speaking ahead of the summit’s four-day programme, Nakale said the theme, “Harnessing ICT for Inclusive Growth: Digital Pathways to Reduce Unemployment and Eradicate Poverty,” reflects the need to make digital technologies accessible to businesses, communities and individuals across the country.

She said expanding access to digital infrastructure and skills could create opportunities for young people to establish technology-driven businesses, participate in remote work and access employment markets beyond their immediate geographical locations.

“Technology alone will not reduce unemployment or eradicate poverty,” Nakale said, adding that innovation, collaboration and inclusion would determine whether digital transformation translates into improved livelihoods.

From an economic perspective, the government’s focus is on using digital connectivity to expand participation in the economy, particularly among young people, small businesses and rural communities that face barriers to accessing markets and employment opportunities.

Nakale said reliable internet access could enable local producers, including clay-pot makers and basket weavers in rural areas, to reach customers beyond their communities, compare market prices and communicate directly with buyers.

For unemployed graduates, digital platforms could provide access to online training, employment opportunities and remote work, while digital entrepreneurship could open additional income streams.

A key expectation of the summit is to develop practical approaches to reducing data costs, expanding network coverage and integrating digital literacy into the national education system.

Nakale said hosting the summit in Ongwediva, rather than Windhoek, also highlights the importance of decentralising digital innovation and encouraging investment in regional economies.

She called for government institutions and technology companies to translate the decentralisation agenda into investment strategies that extend digital infrastructure and innovation opportunities beyond the capital.

The summit is also expected to strengthen public-private partnerships aimed at accelerating digital infrastructure deployment and aligning government priorities with private-sector capabilities.

For businesses, wider connectivity could improve access to customers, support more efficient operations and create opportunities to develop services for domestic and international markets.

Youth employment and technology-driven entrepreneurship are also central to the summit’s agenda.

The summit will bring together policymakers, technology companies, financial institutions, academic institutions and innovators to explore practical approaches to digital transformation.

It is also expected to provide a platform for local innovators to showcase their businesses and technologies, with the broader objective of strengthening Namibia’s technological competitiveness.