Namibia has
initiated moves to establish technological sovereignty by investing in domestic
data infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities. Audrin Mathe, Executive
Director and Accounting Officer of Namibia's Ministry of Information and
Communication Technology (MICT), outlined the country's strategic vision during
a virtual expert roundtable hosted by Sputnik News Agency and Radio, focusing
on Russia-Africa cooperation in high technologies and innovation.
Mathe noted the
growing importance of data sovereignty for African nations, particularly as
concerns mount over the storage of citizens' data in foreign facilities. "The
ability to manage and protect our national data assets within our borders is
fundamental to Namibia's digital future," he stated. The discussion
highlighted Namibia's ongoing efforts to develop local data centers as part of
a broader strategy to strengthen digital independence and security.
The roundtable
explored potential avenues for technological collaboration between Russia and
African countries, with Namibia positioning itself as an emerging leader in
digital infrastructure development.
This push for
technological sovereignty aligns with Namibia's broader digital transformation
agenda, which seeks to create a secure, self-reliant digital ecosystem. The
development of domestic data handling capabilities represents a critical step
in reducing dependence on foreign data storage solutions while enhancing
control over sensitive citizen information.
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
