Namibia holds discussions with Indian artificial intelligence strategist

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has held discussions with Indian artificial intelligence strategist Chandan Chauhan as Namibia moves forward with plans to develop a national AI strategy.

The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Namibia, focused on creating an enabling environment for artificial intelligence to grow while ensuring appropriate regulatory frameworks are in place to safeguard citizens.

During the engagement, Theofelus highlighted that Namibia is actively working on an AI strategy aimed at positioning the country to harness emerging technologies for national development. She emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with regulation to ensure responsible deployment of AI systems.

The Minister also pointed to Namibia’s youthful population as a key advantage, noting that the demographic presents significant potential to adopt and leverage AI technologies. She indicated that AI could play a role in addressing socio-economic challenges, including youth unemployment, by creating new opportunities and supporting skills development.

The discussions form part of broader efforts by the Namibian government to integrate advanced technologies into its development agenda while building a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem.