National ICT Summit kicks off in Ongwediva

ONGWEDIVA – The 9th National ICT Summit, which is being hosted in Ongwediva in the Oshana region, kicked off yesterday, focusing on digital innovation, information and communication technology (ICT), and the role of technology in Namibia’s development.

New Era Publication Corporation, (NEPC) as well as various organisations, are exhibiting at the summit.

The event will end on 16 October. Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus is expected to officially open the summit today.

This is the first time the National ICT Summit has been hosted in the northern regions.

The summit is being hosted under the 2026 theme: ‘Harnessing ICT for Inclusive Growth: Digital Pathways to Reduce Unemployment and Eradicate Poverty.’

Speaking yesterday, the ministry’s Executive Director, Linda Nakale-Aipinge, said the theme means that ICT should not only advance technology but also improve people’s lives, create economic opportunities, reduce inequality, and ensure that all Namibians can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

“It addresses the most critical socio-economic challenges facing Namibia by shifting the perception of technology from a luxury to an essential vehicle for economic survival and equity,” she added.

In addition, Nakale-Aipinge said the ICT Summit is built around three key pillars, including harnessing ICT for inclusive growth, which she said means ensuring that true progress leaves no one behind.

“By bringing the summit to the northern regions, the government and industry partners emphasise that digital transformation must bridge the urban-rural divide,” she said.

She further said inclusive growth means equipping marginalised communities, small businesses and rural sectors with the infrastructure, tools and digital literacy required to thrive in a global economy.

On digital pathways to reduce unemployment, Nakale-Aipinge said technology is one of the fastest-growing engines for job creation.

“Unlocking ‘digital pathways’ means creating ecosystems for tech-driven entrepreneurship, digital content creation, freelance gig work and software development,” she said.

Nakale-Aipinge added that the pillar focuses on modernising the workforce so that young people can transition from job seekers to job creators. On eradicating poverty, she said access to information, digital financial systems, online education and e-governance can help dismantle barriers that perpetuate poverty.

“ICT provides smallholder farmers, local traders and artisans with direct access to markets, micro-funding and cost-saving efficiencies that sustainably elevate household livelihoods,” she said.

The executive director said policymakers, technology leaders, academics, industry stakeholders and grassroots innovators have gathered at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre to promote meaningful dialogue and achieve measurable progress in advancing Namibia’s digital transformation and inclusive development.

She said key expectations of the 9th ICT Summit include multi-sectoral collaboration, decentralisation of digital innovation, actionable policy frameworks, and youth empowerment and grassroots solutions.

“Multi-sectoral collaboration: The summit will unite government policymakers, academic institutions, financial entities and tech giants to bridge systemic gaps and co-design a unified digital roadmap,” she said.

She also highlighted the decentralisation of digital innovation, saying hosting the summit in the north creates an expectation for technology companies and government bodies to increase their investment outside Windhoek, thereby stimulating regional economic growth.

“Actionable policy frameworks: Attendees expect clear, concrete roadmaps from the public and private sectors to reduce data costs, expand network coverage and systematically integrate digital literacy into the national education system,” she said.

On youth empowerment and grassroots solutions, Nakale-Aipinge said there is a strong emphasis on the Youth Day Hackathon.

The event is expected to showcase localised, youth-led digital prototypes that directly address community problems while opening opportunities for venture capital and incubation. She stressed that Namibia has made significant progress through the National Digital Strategy, broadband expansion, e-government services, digital skills development, and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Yet inclusive digital growth requires collective effort. Government, industry, academia, development partners, civil society and young innovators must work together to ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.

“Technology alone will not reduce unemployment or eradicate poverty. It is how we harness technology through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion that will determine our success.

“Let this ICT Summit be remembered not merely as a gathering of stakeholders, but as a catalyst for action, partnership and meaningful progress.

“Together, let us harness ICT to build a more inclusive, prosperous and digitally empowered Namibia where no one is left behind.”

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