Ongwediva:The ninth National ICT Summit in Namibia is focusing on leveraging digital technology to address unemployment and poverty, emphasizing job creation and youth empowerment across the country.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the four-day summit is being held at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre and aims to explore how information and communication technology (ICT) can improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities. Linda Nakale, Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, highlighted the summit's theme, 'Harnessing ICT for Inclusive Growth Digital Pathways to Reduce Unemployment and Eradicate Poverty,' emphasizing the role of technology in reducing inequality and ensuring that all Namibians benefit from the digital economy.
The event supports the government's decentralization agenda by being hosted outside Windhoek, underscoring the importance of extending digital development to regional communities. It brings together policymakers, technology experts, academics, industry stakeholders, and grassroots innovators to discuss the potential of ICT in bridging the urban-rural divide.
Nakale pointed out that ICT could provide marginalized communities, small businesses, and rural sectors with access to digital infrastructure, tools, and skills. She noted that digital entrepreneurship, content creation, freelance work, and software development could create employment opportunities, enabling young people to become job creators rather than job seekers. Technology also holds the potential to help small-scale farmers, traders, and artisans access wider markets and improve their livelihoods.
The summit aims to produce practical solutions, policy frameworks, and partnerships to stimulate economic growth, reduce unemployment, and contribute to poverty eradication. Key priorities include expanding broadband coverage, reducing data costs, integrating digital literacy into education, and encouraging investment in digital innovation outside Windhoek.
A highlight of the summit is the Youth Day Hackathon, which will showcase youth-led digital prototypes addressing community challenges, potentially creating opportunities for investment and business incubation. Nakale acknowledged Namibia's progress in implementing its National Digital Strategy, expanding broadband infrastructure, introducing e-government services, and developing digital skills. She stressed the need for cooperation between government, industry, academia, and communities to achieve inclusive growth and urged participants to develop practical, sustainable solutions to ensure digital opportunities reach all regions and communities.