AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: NAM-CSIRT’s ICT Summit masterclass gave government and business teams hands-on practice in responding to cyberattacks and managing crisis communications. Digital Services: NamWater is exploring smart meters, digital payments and remote monitoring to cut water losses and improve supply, while NamPol plans to modernise ageing systems used for investigations and case management. AI and Jobs: Namibian technologist Mbangula Amugongo urged the country to turn AI and digital skills into jobs and business opportunities; Namibia is also developing an AI policy for the public service. Young Innovators: A 13-year-old Grootfontein learner won N$20,000 for a solar-powered maths quiz built from recycled materials and is developing an AI learning app. Digital Inclusion: Seven computers donated to a remote Sorris Sorris school aim to expand learners’ access to digital education.

Cybersecurity: Namibia has opened a masterclass to strengthen cyber incident response and crisis communication, with officials stressing that clear public messaging is as vital as technical action. Uranium Projects: Deep Yellow has pushed back a final investment decision on its Tumas project beyond 2026, citing weak equity markets, while funded civil and concrete works continue. Research and Innovation: Speakers at Namibia’s National Students’ Research Symposium urged investment in research infrastructure and digital connectivity to turn local ideas into practical solutions. Student Tech: Namibian finalists in a regional STEM challenge presented AquaVolt, a system that captures and monitors floodwater for use during dry periods.

Research and Innovation: Speakers at Namibia’s National Students’ Research Symposium urged researchers to turn their work into practical solutions for local needs, backed by investment in research facilities, digital connectivity and skilled supervisors. Health Technology: Namibia, chairing the African Group at the UN, called fair access to vaccines and other health technologies essential in future pandemics, warning against a repeat of COVID-era vaccine nationalism. Student STEM: A Namibian team’s AquaVolt project, which captures and stores rainy-season floodwater for dry-season use, was among the finalists at a regional competition showcasing student solutions to water and energy challenges. Space Imaging: A Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image revealed Etosha’s salt pan in vivid false colours, helping distinguish landscape features and vegetation. Wildlife Science: A photograph taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley won the top 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, bringing attention to elephant behaviour and the complexity of animals’ responses to death.

Cybersecurity: Capricorn Group has donated N$75,000 to NUST’s national competition, where students practise defending computer networks against simulated attacks. AI in Government: Namibia is preparing an AI policy for the public service, as officials identify technology infrastructure as a factor in departmental performance. Space Science: European Sentinel-2 satellites captured Etosha’s salt pan in vivid false colours, helping distinguish vegetation and landscape features. Separately, researchers suggest a mysterious gamma-ray source detected by Namibia’s HESS telescope may come from a neutron-star collision that forged heavy elements. Health Technology: A new medical imaging centre in Ongwediva offers MRI, CT, mammography and other diagnostic services, bringing specialised care closer to patients in the north. Wildlife Research: Italian photographer Federico Veronesi’s award-winning image, taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, has renewed attention on elephant behaviour and how the animals respond to death.

Space Science: Researchers have proposed that HESS J1507−622, a puzzling gamma-ray source detected by Namibia’s H.E.S.S. telescope array, may come from a neutron-star collision that forged heavy elements. The idea is still awaiting peer review. AI in Government: Cabinet has directed the ICT ministry and Office of the Prime Minister to develop an AI policy for civil servants, with cybersecurity and data protection among the priorities. Cybersecurity Skills: Capricorn Group donated N$75,000 to NUST’s national cyber competition, where students practised defending computer networks against simulated attacks. Earth Observation: A Copernicus Sentinel-2 image shows Etosha’s salt pan in vivid false-colour hues, helping distinguish landscape features and vegetation. Wildlife Research: A photograph taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley won the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, drawing attention to elephants’ complex behaviour around death.

Public-Sector AI: Cabinet has directed Namibia’s ICT ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister to develop a policy guiding civil servants’ use of artificial intelligence, with cybersecurity and data protection flagged as priorities. Namibian Sports Tech: A locally developed wearable tracks athletes’ movement, sprinting and heart rates, giving coaches data to monitor training and performance without an internet connection on the field. Digital Connectivity: Namibia’s ICT Summit in Ongwediva is bringing industry and government together to discuss connectivity, innovation and digital skills. Wildlife Research: A photograph taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley won the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year title, drawing attention to elephant behaviour and questions about how the animals respond to death.

Digital Connectivity: Paratus Namibia is supporting the ICT Summit in Ongwediva, running until 16 October, where industry and government are discussing connectivity, innovation and skills for the country’s digital future. Local Sports Technology: Green Enterprise Solutions has developed a wearable system that tracks athletes’ movement and heart rates, helping coaches monitor workloads and performance without needing internet access during training. Critical Minerals: Sinomine has begun building Namibia’s first germanium production plant at Tsumeb, using old smelter waste. The N$4 billion project is expected to start operating in 2028, with germanium used in fibre optics and other technologies. Science Exercise: Namibia is hosting the CTBTO’s large-scale field exercise in Erongo until 20 November. About 250 international participants are practising how to investigate a suspected nuclear test; the fictional scenario uses no nuclear materials. Digital Banking: Bank Windhoek says digitally active customers now make up 44% of its base, as use of its mobile app and online services continues to grow.

Animal Health: Namibia has confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in Zambezi, the second affected region. Emergency vaccination and movement restrictions are in place as officials investigate the outbreak. Nuclear Science: A major international field exercise has begun in Erongo, with about 250 experts practising how to investigate a suspected nuclear test. Namibia is the first African host; the exercise runs until 20 November. Critical Technology: Sinomine has started building Namibia’s first germanium plant at Tsumeb, using smelter waste. The N$4 billion project is expected to begin operating in early 2028, producing a metal used in fibre optics and other technologies. Digital Banking: Bank Windhoek says digitally active customers now make up 44% of its customer base, while active mobile-app users have grown more than ninefold since 2021.

Climate & Earth Observation: Namibia’s draft tree strategy targets one million trees planted and maintained by 2030, with success measured by survival. A new satellite image of Etosha Pan also shows how Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery helps researchers study the country’s landscapes. ICT Summit: Namibia’s National ICT Summit opens in Ongwediva today, bringing industry and policymakers together to explore how digital tools can support jobs and inclusive growth. Mineral Innovation: Namibia’s beneficiation strategy aims to expand local processing of critical minerals, supporting domestic jobs and technology transfer instead of exporting raw materials. Research Impact: A Windhoek forum urged African research funders to strengthen grant management and turn scientific work into technologies, businesses and better public services. Geospatial Animal Health: With foot-and-mouth disease confirmed in Zambezi, a recent analysis highlights how mapping livestock and transport movements could help track the spread and guide response.

Digital Growth: Namibia’s National ICT Summit opens in Ongwediva on 12 October, with a focus on using technology to create jobs and widen inclusion. The country has also launched a National Artificial Intelligence Institute to build local AI capacity. Minerals & Technology: Namibia’s new beneficiation strategy aims to expand local processing of critical minerals, while first drilling at Kaoko Metals’ Chalkos project confirmed shallow copper-silver deposits. Disease Tracking: As foot-and-mouth disease spreads, a call to use geospatial tools highlights how mapping animal and vehicle movements could help track outbreaks. Wildlife Science: A regional survey found just 83 mature free-roaming cheetahs across nearly 100,000 square kilometres of South Africa; the cats cross into Namibia, making connected habitats and cross-border planning vital.

Digital Learning: Headspring Investments has spent N$1.3 million renovating a school library and computer laboratory in Omaheke, adding books and modern equipment. Disease Mapping: Amid Namibia’s foot-and-mouth outbreak, a new analysis argues geospatial tools could help track livestock movements and identify routes for disease spread. AI and Digital Rights: Namibia has launched a National Artificial Intelligence Institute to build local capabilities, while MPs are pressing for details on the security and reach of a planned digital ID system. Space and Inclusion: ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer urged Namibia to use its desert, geology and astronomy expertise in global space efforts; separately, the UNDP has highlighted language gaps that could leave Namibians behind as AI expands.

Health: Namibia recorded 4,205 new cancer cases and more than 2,000 deaths in 2024. Health leaders say compassionate palliative care should complement prevention, screening and HPV vaccination. Digital Innovation: An upcoming open-source summit in China could offer Namibia a path to develop its own AI and digital tools, rather than remain only a technology user. Research Training: NUST is exploring options for medical laboratory science students after a 150-student intake exposed shortages in lab capacity and workplace placements. Energy Technology: NamPower aims to reach 80% electricity self-sufficiency and a 70% renewable share by 2030, ahead of expected industrial demand. Space Science: An ESA astronaut says Namibia can contribute to space programmes through its desert environment, geological expertise and astronomy facilities; the government is working on legislation for the sector. Critical Minerals: Namibia has joined a five-year UN programme to strengthen responsible mineral value chains and boost local value retention.

Health Research: Namibia recorded an estimated 4,205 new cancer cases and more than 2,000 deaths in 2024. Health officials highlighted HPV vaccination, cervical screening and palliative care as parts of the response. Open-Source AI: A forthcoming Wuzhen summit on open technology could help Namibia become a builder of AI, not just a user, as it pursues its digital strategy. Energy Technology: NamPower aims for 80% electricity self-sufficiency and a 70% renewable share by 2030, ahead of expected demand growth from industry. Space Science: ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer urged Namibia to put its desert environment, geological expertise and astronomy facilities to work in global space efforts; the government is developing industry legislation. Local Innovation: Namibia has launched a National Artificial Intelligence Institute to grow local AI capability, while Namibian learners won two medals at an international science fair. Cybersecurity: Windhoek is set to host a summit on cyber gaps exposed by AI, amid calls for stronger vigilance after major fraud losses.

Digital Innovation: Namibia could become a builder, not just a user, of AI and other technologies, as the Wuzhen 2026 summit spotlights open-source tools that lower barriers to innovation. Science Training: NUST is working on options for medical laboratory science students after its oversized 2025 intake exposed shortages in labs, supervisors and practical placements—a setback for future health professionals. Critical Minerals: Namibia has joined a five-year UN programme to strengthen responsible mineral value chains and help African producers retain more value through local processing. Energy Technology: NamPower aims for 80% electricity self-sufficiency and a 70% renewable share by 2030, as industry growth is expected to raise demand. Space Science: An ESA astronaut urged Namibia to build on its desert environment, geological expertise and astronomy facilities to contribute to global space projects.

Energy Transition: NamPower’s 2026–30 plan targets 80% domestic electricity self-reliance and a 70% renewable share by 2030, ahead of expected demand from oil, gas and mineral processing. Space Science: ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer says Namibia can contribute to global space programmes through its desert environment, geological expertise and astronomy facilities; the government is developing legislation for the sector. Digital Consumer Rights: Out-of-bundle data charges can drain airtime after a bundle runs out. A complaints process exists, but stronger safeguards could prevent unwanted charges. Science Training: NUST is working with medical laboratory science students on study pathways and practical placements after concerns over accreditation and training capacity. Digital Safety: Namibian experts warn that AI-enabled impersonation and highly targeted scams make it harder to trust familiar faces, voices and messages online.

Medical Science: NUST is working with affected medical laboratory science students on study options, financial support and practical placements amid accreditation and training-capacity problems. Students are demanding written answers about their academic futures. Digital ID: MPs have pressed officials on whether Namibia’s planned ID system will reach remote communities and protect personal data. Its rollout is delayed while the legal framework is finalised. Electric Vehicles: BYD has entered Namibia, with Pupkewitz Motors bringing the brand to Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Ongwediva and expanding local access to electric and hybrid vehicles. Artificial Intelligence: Namibia has launched a National AI Institute to build local capability and address gaps identified in the country’s AI assessment.