Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s official account. Providing access to Government information in Namibia. Tel: +264 61 283 9111
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HON. THEOFELUS CALLS ON YOUTH INNOVATORS TO CREATE VALUABLE SOLUTIONS FOR NAMIBIA| While delivering the keynote address during the opening session of the National Youth Days for the 9th National ICT Summit, on Thursday 14, October 2026, Hon. Emma Theofelus Minister of Information and communications Technology (MICT), expressed hope that the competition would serve as a starting point for many successful innovations, new businesses, meaningful partnerships, and lasting contributions to Namibia’s development.
#9thictsummit2026
NATIONAL YOUTH DAYS| On Thursday, 15 October 2026, local and international ICT industry players from academia, governance, and the private sector joined Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, and Deputy Minister, Hon. Wenzel Kavaka, at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre where the 9th National ICT Summit is currently underway, for the opening session of the National Youth Days.
The National Youth Days are a two-day event held under the 9th National ICT Summit, dedicated to exposing young people to the latest ICT developments and providing them with an opportunity to showcase their innovations to industry players for possible partnerships and the commercialisation of their ideas.
#9thictsummit2026
NATIONAL YOUTH DAY | The National Youth Day of the 9th National ICT Summit opened with a captivating performance from the Gabrial Taapopi Senior Secondary School Choir on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre. The summit brings together local and international ICT industry players from across industry, governance, and academia to discuss trends, developments, and challenges facing the ICT industry.
Addressing the youth who showed up in numbers for the National Youth Day, Hon. Emma Theofelus Minister of Information and Communication Technology, highlighted the importance of ethical behaviour on social media, imploring young people to remain conscious of their digital footprint and exercise caution in what they share online so as not to be targeted in the cyberspace. She noted that while cybersecurity is important, the first line of defence remains personal censorship, and encouraged the youth to develop practical habits around password safety, recognising online scams and patterns, and practising ethical hacking. She further noted that the youth present sit on great potential to become digital literacy ambassadors, capable of educating others on how to be safer online.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister of ICT, Hon. Wenzel Kavaka, called on the youth exhibitors to use the opportunity to learn, collaborate, ask questions, and develop solutions that respond to Namibian needs. He further called on industry partners and established institutions to mentor, support, and invest in the promising young innovators present.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Deputy Director of Training and Employment, Mr. Lysias Haiduwa, noted that ensuring every learner has a fair opportunity to participate in the digital future is a shared responsibility. He emphasised that young people should simultaneously be equipped with practical digital skills that respond to the growing needs of the ICT industry, opening pathways to employment in the ICT sector.
Young innovators were challenged to develop a media monitoring and analysis tool, a solution aimed at helping government track, analyse, and understand public conversations online. A total of 25 group applications were received, and after a rigorous selection process, only five groups were shortlisted. Meanwhile, 28 applications from young ICT innovators wishing to exhibit their innovations at the ICT Summit 2026 were received, with 10 exhibitors selected to showcase their projects at the summit.
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STRENGTHENING CYBERSECURITY AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION | The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Wenzel Kavaka, officially opened the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) Masterclass on Cyber Incident Handling, Response and Crisis Communication on 14 October 2026, on the sidelines of the 9th ICT Summit in Ongwediva.
In his remarks, Hon. Kavaka emphasised that cybersecurity requires a proactive, whole-of-organisation approach, highlighting that effective communication is just as important as technical response during a cyber incident. He underscored the importance of accurate, timely and transparent information in protecting public trust, guiding stakeholders and minimising the impact of cyber threats.
Organised by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and NAM-CSIRT during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the masterclass brought together technical specialists, information security professionals, communications practitioners and decision-makers to strengthen cyber preparedness, incident response, crisis communication and national cyber resilience.
NETWORKING GALA DINNER | Local and international stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the private sector gathered with the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, for a networking gala dinner on 13 October 2026 at Bennies Entertainment Park in Ongwediva, Oshana Region, as part of the 9th National ICT Summit.
The dinner provided a relaxed setting for delegates to connect, exchange ideas and build professional relationships beyond the summit sessions. Bringing together stakeholders with different experiences and expertise, the gathering created opportunities to explore shared interests and potential partnerships that could support innovation and the continued development of Namibia’s ICT sector.
DAY 3 OF THE 9TH NATIONAL ICT SUMMIT | Discussions on job creation, education and access to digital services took centre stage on the third day of the 9th National ICT Summit, held on 14 October 2026 at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre.
The presentations and panel discussions explored how technology can create employment opportunities, improve learning in schools and support service delivery. Topics included artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the proposed National AI Institute and AI policies, digital water solutions, the role of media in development, the use of Power BI to turn data into job opportunities, smart schools and the importance of ICT infrastructure in promoting inclusive development.
The day concluded with a film screening organised by the Namibia Film Commission ahead of National Youth Day on 15 October 2026. The programme for the occasion includes the participation of Hon. Wenzel Kavaka, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology.
TWO SIDES OF THE SAME TECHNOLOGY| Dr. Halima Letamo, representative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) , Area Office for Southern Africa, opening the morning session of the 9th National ICT Summit on Wednesday 14 October 2026, at the Ongwediva Trade fair Centre, highlighted that artificial intelligence presents both significant risks and significant opportunities and that the outcome for Namibia and the African continent will depend entirely on whether we act deliberately.
On the risk side, the she cautioned that tasks in administration, retail, and call centres are increasingly being automated, that algorithms are being used to hire, monitor, and pay workers unfairly, and that the gains of AI are currently going primarily to firms and highly skilled workers widening the gaps between urban and rural communities, and between men and women.
However, on the opportunity side, Dr. Halima pointed to the transformative potential of AI tools that raise the productivity of small farmers and traders, citing the recent launch of a farming advisory chatbot in Lesotho. Dr. Halima further identified key opportunities if action is taken, opportunities like new jobs in data, AI support, digital services, and green technology, as well as the development of local AI built on Namibian data and languages.
FILM COMMISSION BRINGS LOCAL FILMS TO THE OSHANA REGION | The Namibian Film Commission will be screening Namibian Films on the Sidelines of the 9th National ICT summit at the Ongwediva Trade Centre. The screenings will run from the 14-15 of October 2026 and will show from 18:00 to 19:30, in the KK hall at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre. Entrance is completely free and viewers can expect to be treated to some popcorn, show up in numbers to support local content and enjoy home grown films!
BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN NAMIBIA AND LITHUANIA | The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Rasa Jankauskaitė, Ambassador of Lithuania accredited to Namibia, on the sidelines of the 9th National ICT Summit in Ongwediva on 13 October 2026.
The meeting focused on exploring potential areas of collaboration in the ICT sector, including e-government, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data sovereignty. Both sides expressed interest in continued engagement to identify shared priorities and opportunities for practical cooperation between Namibia and Lithuania.
BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN NAMIBIA AND FINLAND | The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Katja Kalamäki, Ambassador of Finland to the Republic of Namibia, on the sidelines of the 9th National ICT Summit in Ongwediva on 13 October 2026.
Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the ICT sector, with emphasis on digital connectivity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital skills development. Both sides expressed interest in exploring practical opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnerships to support Namibia’s digital transformation and promote secure, inclusive and sustainable digital development.
DAY3 OF THE 9th NATIONAL ICT SUMMIT| Hon. Wenzel Kavaka, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology speaks on the next 3 days of the 9th National ICT summit which is currently underway at the Ongwediva trade fair centre. The summit which started on Monday 12 of October will conclude on Friday 16th Of October 2026. The Deputy Minister is expected to deliver the keynote address on Thursday 15 October 2026, for the National youth day. Registration to attend the summit remains open, with the Film Commission expected to screen local Namibian films from 18:00 -21:00 on Wednesday Evening, 14 October 2026.
USING AI TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH | Oshana Youth Forum Chairperson Griffith Mwashekele says the 9th National ICT Summit provides an important platform to educate young people on when and how to use artificial intelligence (AI) effectively and responsibly.
He noted that such engagements can help equip the youth with digital knowledge and skills to embrace emerging technologies and use them to create opportunities and address everyday challenges.
ICT SUMMIT AS A PLATFORM FOR COLLABORATION | The Acting Deputy Executive Director in the Department of Public Service E-Governance Management at the Office of the Prime Minister, Yolande Rijarua, has welcomed the 9th National ICT Summit as an important platform for collaboration among stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that can be applied in government.
She emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to improve government services and make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of Namibians.
Rijarua was speaking on the sidelines of the 9th National ICT Summit at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre in the Oshana Region.
THEOFELUS URGES NAMIBIANS TO USE ICT TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY | Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, has called on Namibians to harness technology to create economic opportunities, address youth unemployment and reduce poverty.
Speaking at the 9th National ICT Summit at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, Hon. Theofelus emphasised that digital transformation must benefit all citizens. She highlighted initiatives such as Project 1000, DigiNam and the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan for 2025–2030 as part of efforts to advance Namibia’s digital agenda.
Held outside Windhoek for the first time, the summit was welcomed as a milestone in promoting inclusive digital development. Speaking on behalf of the Oshana Regional Governor, Okatana Constituency Councillor Hon. Shigwedha Ashipala noted that digital transformation must reach every region and community. Guest speaker Dr. Mbangula Lameck Amugongo encouraged young Namibians to advocate for laws that enable them to develop innovative solutions to local challenges.
The summit runs until 16 October 2026, bringing together government leaders, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, academia, the private sector and development partners to explore how ICT can drive inclusive growth and improve the lives of Namibians.
HIGH LEVEL FIRESIDE CHAT | On the sidelines of the ICT summit Hon. Emma Theofelus engaged in a panel discussion on Digital Pathways to Prosperity Practical Investment and Collaboration. She was joined by H.E. Katja Kalamaka Ambassador of Finland to Namibia, Mr. Mindaugas Glodas CEO, NRD companies (Lithuania) and Dr. Victor Ryan, SPVd Chairman, Investment Bank of Africa. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Halima Letamo, ITU area representative for Southern Africa.