The Namibian government is laying the groundwork for smart city initiatives, including constructing a public data centre and enhancing information technology collaboration with neighbouring Angola.
These topics were at the forefront of President Nandi Netumbo-Ndaitwah’s leadership of last week’s cabinet meeting.
During a media briefing following the cabinet meeting, Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, shared the outcomes.
“The cabinet has tasked the Ministry of ICT (MICT) and the Prime Minister’s Office with finalising the concept note and project proposal for establishing a National and Public Data Centre,” she stated.
This initiative, by creating local data centres, aligns with the government’s goal of technological sovereignty.
Last month, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and Minister Theofelus visited Paratus, a digital infrastructure provider, to assess existing facilities and capabilities for safeguarding national data domestically.
Concerning the smart city project, Theofelus mentioned that the cabinet has directed MICT and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to develop a legal framework for smart city growth, starting with Windhoek.
Additionally, the cabinet has authorised MICT to engage with female entrepreneurs who may benefit from the US$20 million venture capital fund, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises in the ICT sector.
Lastly, Theofelus highlighted the cabinet’s approval of MTC Namibia’s recent rollout of 5G technology. The state-owned telecommunications company announced this deployment at the end of August, initially covering the capital, Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay, with plans for nationwide expansion in the months ahead.
