ICT is the catalyst for Namibia’s economic development
Namibia seems to be on the cusp of a major technological revolution; suddenly we have apps for everything, online payment systems and we are catching up to technological advancement that other countries have had for years.
For years, we complained that we were lagging, especially after visiting other countries, but now we too seem to have the world at our fingertips because of digital developments. This is a great step in the right direction and if we want to compete locally, regionally and globally, it is development we must embrace and nurture. This means that Namibia needs to start thinking of ICT as a catalyst for grassroots development of the economy.
Namibia has realised the vital role technology can place in alleviating some of the teething development challenges weighing down its prospects for growth. Stakeholders and the Namibian government are keenly aware of the crucial role the ICT sector can play in speeding up development in Namibia.
A total rethink of the public and private sector can improve productivity, service delivery and unlock huge potential for new businesses. This means that young people, entrepreneurs and existing businesses willing to ‘think outside the box’ and willing to embrace, invest and develop IT-based solutions have a bright future.
We have seen that technology drives innovation and can catapult countries to the forefront economically, empower its people Just look at countries like India and Vietnam as an example of economies embracing ICT. We need to start at a young age, educating children, right from the get go to be computer literate.
This is certainly a challenge for us as a nation, but it also provides Namibia with opportunities and judging by the new endeavours like online payment systems, products and services migrating online and onto smartphones, we are ready.
We just need to ensure that our kids have the knowledge to engage and harness the potential that ICT brings. That can only happen by providing them with the tools they need in the form of hard and software and creating a conducive and stimulating environment for them.
By developing homegrown talent through internships and focusing on ICT-skills development, right here in Namibia we can become a force to be reckoned with.
Being able to see and act upon potential opportunities for change through innovation is the only path to success. This means that the business environment needs to change. It can only survive if Namibia can successfully compete and even flourish in the face of the range of emerging adverse and fluctuating business and economic conditions.
Especially the present situation which we find ourselves in with Covid-19 proves that ICT will truly be the bedrock of our economy as people work from home and e-learning starts playing a major role in children’s lives.
Another aspect is using IT to battle Covid-19, through the development of track & tracing apps, an absolute imperative if we are to keep a handle on the virus. It is also something that we can and should develop as a nation, through integrated public and private partnerships for the good of the country.
There is need to develop homegrown talent through internships with relevant companies, international partnerships, skills exchange and by stimulating tertiary institutions to continue focusing on ICT-skills development for the knowledge-based economy.
We can establish an environment where everything is set up to stimulate an innovative economy from a grassroots level and be the catalyst for an innovative economic sector in Namibia.