Namibia has formally launched its Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report, a strategic document that positions the nation as a potential leader in Africa’s evolving artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The report, developed in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), sets out a balanced appraisal of the country’s current digital transformation efforts, while identifying key gaps that need addressing to ensure responsible and sustainable AI adoption.
In a keynote address at the launch, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, described AI as “the defining technology of our time” and emphasised Namibia’s aspiration to be at the forefront of Africa’s AI development. She expressed gratitude to UNESCO and the national technical team for their contribution to the report, noting that it marked a “bold and necessary step in positioning Namibia on the global map of ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking artificial intelligence.”
The assessment acknowledges Namibia’s notable progress in laying the foundations for a digital economy. These achievements include sustained investment in digital infrastructure, increased promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, the introduction of AI-relevant degree programmes at public universities, and the enactment of significant legislation such as the Access to Information Act of 2022.
Despite these advances, the report outlines several pressing challenges. Chief among them is the absence of a dedicated national AI strategy or policy framework, which the document warns could impede the coordinated governance of AI development. Other concerns include the need for enhanced human capital in AI-related fields, greater investment in research and innovation, and improved digital literacy across the population.
Minister Steenkamp urged the establishment of a national AI strategy, the formation of a multi-stakeholder advisory council, and increased investment in both infrastructure and education. She underscored that such measures would not only accelerate AI adoption but also ensure it aligns with Namibia’s broader social and economic development objectives.
Namibia’s readiness assessment forms part of a broader effort by UNESCO to assist member states in adopting AI in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. As AI continues to transform industries worldwide, Namibia’s engagement in this process reflects its intent to shape the technology’s trajectory in line with its national priorities and developmental aspirations.
