Rudolf Gaiseb
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has hailed the National Mega Hackathon as the digital foundation of Namibia’s future – one being built by the country’s youth.
The event, focused on improving public service delivery, brought together young innovators, students and software developers to design practical digital solutions aimed at enhancing citizens’ access to government services.
“We have an abundance of talented young men and women with the skills and imagination to push this country forward. Our task as leaders is to give them the space, tools and opportunities to innovate for their motherland,” Ngurare said.
He stressed that technology is evolving rapidly.
Namibia cannot afford to be left behind.
This year, the National Mega Hackathon replaced the annual Information and Communication Technology Summit.
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus said the decision was a deliberate shift from discussion to implementation.
“Recognising that ICT enables access to essential government services – from applying for permits and jobs to paying taxes and obtaining public information – we redirected our 2025 resources to the National Mega Hackathon to deliver tangible outcomes,” she explained. The hackathon forms part of the implementation of the recently launched National Digital Strategy (NDS), which outlines Namibia’s roadmap toward digital transformation.
It also highlights how the country can leverage technology to drive innovation, problem-solving and inclusive growth. “The strategy envisions a future where the benefits of digitalisation are shared across the nation – bridging the digital divide, promoting digital literacy, expanding access to citizen-centric online services and creating economic opportunities for all Namibians,” Theofelus added. Participants tackled real-life challenges, such as developing digital tools for mental health support, streamlining online job applications, enhancing inclusive learning and improving resource and inventory management in schools.
Khomas governor Shafiishuna Nujoma described his region as an innovation hub and urged leaders to continue creating an enabling environment for young people. “This event reaffirms Khomas’ commitment to being at the forefront of Namibia’s digital transformation journey,” Nujoma said. – rrgaiseb@gmail.com