Namibia: Government and private sector join hands on ICT

A new structural expansion of Namibia Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) will be effected to strengthen government’s capacity to promote information and communication technology in the country.

This was announced at a consultative meeting between government and private sector players, that in future will work more closely towards ensuring Namibia becomes a knowledge-based society. The different sectors have similarly agreed to meet on a regular basis where ICT roll-out and capacity building will be at the centre of the discussions.

The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joël Kaapanda, said the ICT sector contributes a significant two percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with more potential for growth and addressing unemployment and poverty. He said Namibia’s global development index ranking is low also because of the unimpressive level of ICT roll-out, skills and usage. Kaapanda said players from the ICT industry, academics and government should work together to maximally harness the potential thereof. Government is desirous to make ICT accessible and affordable to all Namibians.

It is anticipated that the country will have a submarine fibre optic cable along the Atlantic Ocean for its own broadband for broadband connectivity. Similarly, great strides have been made to extend ICT services to rural areas through multipurpose centres.

India is assisting Namibia with a satellite programme to bolster e-education and e-health. Equipment has already arrived and is being set up at the University of Namibia, the Polytechnic and at health centres.

Kaapanda said in accordance with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), television and radio is being digitised. //End//

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Reagan Malumo

Programme Specialist: Media Freedom Monitoring and Research

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Secretariat

21 Johann Albrecht St

Private Bag 13386

Windhoek

Namibia

Phone: +264 61 232 975

Fax: +264 61 248 016

Mobile: +264 81 311 2626

Official Email: reagan@misa.org

Private Email: reagan32002@yahoo.com

- April 9, 2010 by MISA
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Source: www.misa.org (received via email alert 09.04.10)