By: Kanto Kai Okanto
Namibia's
Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, held a
courtesy meeting with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Southern
Africa Area Representative Halima Letamo on the sidelines of the ANGOTIC 2026
conference in Luanda, Angola, on 12 June 2026.
The discussions
focused on key areas of cooperation aimed at advancing Namibia's digital
development agenda, including e-waste management, digital inclusion, and
initiatives to equip citizens with the skills and access needed to keep pace
with rapidly evolving technologies.
The role of
technology in disaster risk management was also highlighted, particularly the
use of telecommunications and early warning systems to improve communication
and citizen safety during emergencies. Matters relating to Direct-to-Home (DTH)
broadcasting were also discussed.
Minister
Theofelus highlighted the significant progress Namibia has made in
strengthening its e-waste management framework, including legislative efforts
that have already progressed through Parliament and are now moving towards
implementation. She emphasised the importance of effective collaboration among
stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of those measures.
Letamo
reaffirmed the ITU's commitment to supporting Namibia's digital transformation
objectives and expressed the organisation's readiness to work closely with the
ministry and relevant stakeholders. She noted that through partnership,
capacity building, and knowledge sharing, Namibia can continue to strengthen
its digital ecosystem and remain competitive both on the African continent and
globally.