AGP Executive Report

Climate Research: A study spanning Namibia and six neighbouring countries is examining how shifting rainfall patterns could affect pastoralists’ livestock and wealth, as climate change brings hotter, drier seasons and heavier, more concentrated rains. Clean-Tech Waste: Namibia’s deputy environment minister is backing rules to recycle solar panels, batteries and inverters as installations surge across Africa. Research Community: NCRST has mourned Prof. Dr Martha Kandawa-Schulz, a biosafety leader who published 28 research papers and died while attending the UN biodiversity conference in Armenia. Uranium Development: The Etango joint venture has approved full-scale construction in Erongo. The planned mine targets average annual output of about 3.5 million pounds of uranium oxide, with first production expected in 2028. Cybersecurity: Nam-CSIRT has warned that flaws in PHP could let attackers run malicious code on vulnerable websites without logging in, urging organisations to update unsupported versions or restrict public access.

Cybersecurity: Nam-CSIRT warns that newly discovered PHP flaws could let attackers run malicious code on vulnerable websites. Namibian organisations should update to supported versions or restrict public access until they can. Tech Sovereignty: Namibia’s planning chief joined former African leaders calling for faster continental integration and greater investment in Africa’s technological capabilities. AI in Education: A study involving Namibia found uneven access, lecturer training and institutional readiness are holding back AI adoption at African universities—and could deepen inequalities. Agritech: Namibia and China’s Sichuan province are exploring cooperation in seeds, mechanisation, research and skills transfer to support more climate-resilient farming.

Namibia–Russia Technology: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will seek technology transfer and cooperation in science and energy at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on 28–29 October, with the aim of supporting industrialisation and skills development. AI in Education: A study involving researchers and participants in Namibia found African universities face uneven access to AI learning resources and gaps in staff training and institutional readiness. Smart Agriculture: Namibia and China are exploring seed development, mechanisation and research to boost climate-resilient farming, while Namibia’s table grapes have been approved for export to China. Uranium Development: The Etango joint venture has made a final investment decision on its US$353 million project, targeting first production in 2028. Food Processing: Arandis Dry Fish Factory has invested N$1.4 million in an industrial dehydrator to improve fish-processing capacity and product consistency.

Russia–Namibia Tech Ties: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will seek cooperation in science, technology, energy and skills development at the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on 28–29 October, with Namibia aiming for partnerships that support industrialisation and job creation. AI Readiness: A study involving Namibian participants found African universities face uneven access to AI learning resources and gaps in lecturer training, curricula and institutional preparation. Researchers warn that adopting AI without these changes could deepen inequality. Agricultural Innovation: Namibia and China are exploring cooperation on mechanisation, seed development, research and skills transfer to strengthen climate-smart farming and food security. Uranium Development: The Etango joint venture has approved US$353 million for full-scale mine construction in Erongo, targeting annual output of about 3.5 million pounds and first production in 2028.

AI Readiness: A study involving Namibian stakeholders found African universities are adopting AI unevenly, with gaps in lecturer training, resources and policies that could deepen inequality. Agri-Tech: Namibia and China’s Sichuan Province are exploring cooperation on mechanisation, seeds, research and skills as Namibia advances climate-smart farming. China has also approved Namibian table grapes and wild aquatic products for export. Uranium Development: The Etango joint venture has approved US$353 million for mine construction in Erongo, targeting annual output of 3.5 million pounds of uranium oxide and first production in 2028. Food Processing: Arandis Dry Fish Factory invested N$1.4 million in an industrial dehydrator to modernise horse-mackerel processing, improve product consistency and reach markets with stricter quality standards.

Agricultural Technology: Namibia and China are deepening cooperation on mechanisation, seed development, research and climate-smart irrigation to boost food production. The deal also clears Namibian table grapes for export to China. Uranium Development: The Etango joint venture has approved a US$353 million mine in Erongo, paving the way for construction. It targets first production in 2028, at about 3.5 million pounds of uranium oxide a year. Fish Processing: Arandis Dry Fish Factory has invested N$1.4 million in an industrial dehydrator to improve horse mackerel processing, product consistency and access to new markets. Digital Finance: An IMF report says central bank digital currencies could improve cross-border payments for Namibia and its Common Monetary Area partners, but regulatory barriers and limited liquidity could slow progress.

Uranium Development: Namibia’s Etango mine has cleared its US$353 million construction decision. The project aims to produce its first uranium concentrate in 2028. Digital Finance: An IMF report says cross-border digital currencies could make payments easier across Namibia and its Common Monetary Area partners, but regulatory hurdles and banking weaknesses remain. Public-Sector Technology: ICT Minister Emma Theofelus met NamPost’s new board to discuss its priorities and the future of Namibia’s digital and postal services. Cybersecurity: Namibia was among countries targeted in a campaign using trusted Windows applications to hide backdoors and steal network credentials. Geoscience: A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Namibia on Wednesday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences.

Mineral Exploration: Australian-listed Aldoro Resources has begun its first diamond drilling near Kalkfeld, testing two survey-identified targets for copper and gold. Cybersecurity: Researchers say China-linked group Bronze Sandcastle used trusted Windows apps to deploy hidden backdoors and steal credentials in attacks that included Namibian victims between 2025 and 2026. STEM Education: Sinomine Tsumeb Community Trust has committed N$750,000 to Oshikoto education, including N$380,000 for mathematics and science learning. Science for Youth: The new Vana vaTulu foundation aims to engage young people through culture, science and space exploration, offering curiosity and learning as alternatives to risky behaviour.

Seismic Watch: GFZ reported a magnitude-5 earthquake in Namibia, at a depth of 10 kilometres. Cybersecurity: A China-aligned hacking group used trusted Windows software to hide backdoors and steal credentials; researchers identified victims in Namibia and several other countries. Young Innovators: Grootfontein learner Soini Shoonga won N$20,000 for a solar-powered maths quiz built from recycled materials and is developing an AI learning app. Cyber Readiness: Namibia’s cybersecurity masterclass and NAM-CSIRT training are strengthening local incident response and crisis communication. Digital Services: NamWater is turning to digital technology to improve water supply, while calls to open the ICT sector to young workers highlight the need to build Namibia’s engineering and technology talent.

Cybersecurity: Sophos says China-aligned hackers used trusted Windows apps to steal credentials, with victims in Namibia among those targeted. Young Innovators: Grootfontein learner Soini Shoonga won N$20,000 for a solar-powered maths quiz made from recycled materials and is developing an AI learning app. Energy Technology: Namibia’s green hydrogen projects face financing and buyer delays as oil investment grows, an IPPR review warns. Mining Innovation: Elevate Uranium’s Erongo pilot plant rejected 88% of waste while retaining 79% of uranium, a process that could reduce infrastructure needs. Digital Skills: Namibia’s cybersecurity masterclass aims to strengthen incident response and crisis communication.

Engineering Careers: A Namibian engineering leader has raised concerns about graduate unemployment and whether the country is creating enough opportunities for young engineers. Digital Access: Speakers at the National ICT Summit called for affordable internet, wider broadband coverage and practical digital skills to turn technology into jobs and business growth. AI at Work: Namibian professionals say AI tools can speed up design work and help education providers manage students, while pushing workers to adapt. Future Scientists: Merck’s Curiosity Cube brought hands-on science activities to 1,219 students at 12 Namibian schools, with UNAM volunteers helping introduce synthetic biology. Satellite Connectivity: Starlink’s planned direct-to-cell service lists Namibia among countries where it has sought permission, but local ownership rules remain a regulatory hurdle.

Digital Economy: Namibian ICT leaders say affordable internet, stronger network coverage and practical digital skills are essential to turn technology into jobs and business growth. Local professionals also see AI speeding up design and education work, while urging workers to adapt. Uranium Research: Elevate Uranium says its Namibian projects helped lift its global resource to 181 million pounds. Its Erongo pilot plant has rejected 88% of waste mass while recovering 79% of uranium into the next processing stage. STEM Education: Merck’s Curiosity Cube brought hands-on science activities to 1,219 students at 12 Namibian schools, with UNAM volunteers introducing synthetic biology and local science careers. Digital Services: E-hailing has given Windhoek passengers more choice, clearer fare estimates and the ability to track drivers, an example of technology addressing everyday consumer needs. Cybersecurity: Namibia’s cyber response teams have been building incident-response skills as digital services and online risks grow.

Uranium Projects: Paladin Energy reported lower output and higher costs at Namibia’s Langer Heinrich mine, but kept its full-year guidance. Deep Yellow has withdrawn its target for a final investment decision on the Tumas project, citing weak equity markets; early works continue. Digital Inclusion: Namibia’s new NamTalkies platform aims to bring local languages into the digital age, with UNDP and NUST stressing the need for community-built language data so AI and online services can better serve Namibians. Affordable Technology: The Presidency says two N$200,000 prefabricated homes will test whether innovative construction can help address Namibia’s housing shortage. Cybersecurity: Letshego Namibia warns that scammers often target people rather than systems, using phishing emails, fake texts, phone calls and bogus online sellers to steal information or money.

Digital Safety: Namibia’s Letshego security specialist warns that scammers often target people, using fake emails, texts, calls and QR codes to steal information or money. Oilfield Technology: ReconAfrica has begun horizontal drilling at the Kavango West 1X well after receiving permits; flow-test results are expected before year-end. Language AI: UNDP and NUST launched NamTalkies to build local-language data and make digital services more accessible to Namibians. Public-Sector Tech: Namibia plans an AI policy for public services, while a cybersecurity masterclass aims to strengthen national incident response. Innovation Skills: Young researchers say limited funding, IP hurdles and weak industry support are making it harder to turn promising ideas into market-ready products.

Digital Languages: UNDP and NUST have launched NamTalkies to help preserve Namibia’s languages online. The platform aims to build local-language data so communities can access information and services in their own languages. Tech Careers: At the National ICT Summit, speakers urged industry, government and schools to work together on practical skills, internships and jobs in software, cybersecurity and data analytics. Young innovators also highlighted funding, intellectual-property and industry-support hurdles. Cybersecurity: Namibia is stepping up cyber response training, with a masterclass focused on incident response and crisis communication. AgriTech: Namibia is seeking cooperation with China’s Sichuan Province on technology transfer, climate-smart farming and local investment to improve food security.