The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) is busy finalising the cybercrime bill, a piece of legislation which will help protect the national digital infrastructure and combat cybercrime in Namibia.
This was revealed by MICT minister, Ms Emma Theofelus during the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair’s MTC Tech Hub Conference hosted in Ongwediva on 28 August.
Theofelus said that other bills like the Data Protection Bill and National Emergency Telecommunications Plan Bill are also at the final stage of drafting.
“The ICT ministry is thus currently working on several legislative frameworks that will solidify our position in the global tech’s pace,” she said.
“In today’s digital age many people fall prey to cybercrimes so it is important to have a policy framework that will ensure that such cases are dealt with in an amicable way and that the perpetrators are brought to task.”
“We are finalising the National Emergency Telecommunication plan to ensure that precautionary steps are put in place when and where the nation is faced with emergency situations or natural disasters and therefore parts of the country or citizens are out of reach when communications are down.”
She further added that the ministry is busy earmarking a place that will serve as an ICT hub in Windhoek where everyone will connect to boost innovation and uplift technological advancement.
“Looking at the national digital strategies we want to map the whole country in terms of digital transformation.”
Also, Theofelus said, the ICT ministry is working hand in hand with the ministry of education to ensure that children are exposed to technology.
“We are developing a national digital literacy framework to guide and ensure that everyone is at sub-level through basic computer literacy training.”
In addition the MTC’s Chief Technical Officer, Dr Monica Nehemia said that out of 1,851 schools 87.4% of them are covered with 4G network, while 7,5% of the country’s 710 health facilities have 4G network coverage.
“MTC is collaborating with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) to come up with a project that will bridge the gap between those that live in rural areas and the ones in urban areas,” Dr Nehemia said.
She also urged organisations to have digitalization strategies in place and familiarize themselves with the latest technology developments.
In the photo: ICT Minister Emma Theofelus delivering her speech at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair MTC Tech Hub Conference. The hall was packed with tech enthusiasts, young and old.
