Also known as: Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus · information minister Emma Theofelus · minister of information and communication technology (ICT) Emma Theofelus · Minister Theofelus · ICT minister Emma Theofelus · Minister Emma Theofelus · Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus · Information and Communication Technology Minister Hon. Emma Theofelus · Hon. Emma Theofelus · honourable Theofelus
Minister of Information and Communication Technology advancing Namibia's digital transformation, AI governance, and addressing online harassment of women politicians.
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May 2026
Informanté
Theofeluspresented awards recognisingcontributions to digital innovation and ICT development under Huawei initiative
Source
“During the event, the minister also presented awards recognising contributions to digital innovation and ICT development under the Huawei initiative.”
Emma TheofelusrevealedCabinet authorised the Minister of Home Affairs to sign the MoU with Tanzania
Source
“She revealed that Cabinet authorised the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to sign the MoU on behalf of the Government of Namibia.”
Emma Theofelussaid the Cabinet took note thata fourth round may be required if vaccination coverage is below 80%
Source
“Moreover, the Cabinet took note that in the event the vaccination coverage is below the 80% threshold, a fourth round may be required to protect all children and prevent cases of acute flaccid paralysis," Theofelus says.”
Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelusdelivered keynote address and interacted withchildren during discussion session
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“The event was attended by information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus, who delivered a keynote address and interacted with children during an informal discussion session.”
Minister Emma Theofelusurgedyoung Namibians to follow Sam Nujoma's resilience, courage and resistance
Source
“Minister of information and communications technology Emma Theofelus has urged young Namibians to follow the resilience, courage and spirit of resistance shown by Namibia's founding president, Sam Nujoma.”
Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelussaidparents, governments and technology companies all have a responsibility to protect children online.
Source
“Information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus said parents, governments and technology companies all have a responsibility to protect children online.”
Minister Emma Theofelussaidthe guidelines reflect government's commitment to ensuring a safe digital environment for all Namibians
Source
“Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, said the guidelines reflect government's commitment to ensuring a safe digital environment for all Namibians.”
Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Swakop Uranium have agreed to explore partnerships to advance digital development, focusing on expanding connectivity, improving infrastructure, and promoting digital inclusion. The discussions highlight the government's challenges in deploying telecommunications infrastructure in areas without reliable electricity supply.
Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Swakop Uranium have agreed to explore partnerships to advance digital development, focusing on expanding connectivity, improving infrastructure, and promoting digital inclusion. The discussions highlight the government's challenges in deploying telecommunications infrastructure in areas without reliable electricity supply.
Gobabis is conducting a mass clean-up campaign to remove litter from townships ahead of the Miss Namibia pageant on 1 August. The town's leadership attributes the widespread littering problem to resident behaviour and plans to enforce fines against those found dumping rubbish.
The African Development Bank announced N$5.6 billion in funding for Namibia's technical and vocational education and training system and artificial intelligence, with plans to modernise vocational institutions, establish a National Artificial Intelligence Institute, and create 15 000 workplace opportunities by 2030. The Namibian editorial warns that vocational graduates will not be absorbed into the market without fair state tender allocation and faster AI regulation.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, urging communicators across Africa to strengthen public trust by promoting accurate information, combating misinformation, and embracing ethical communication as essential for good governance and national development.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi hosted Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe at the Port of Walvis Bay to reaffirm commitment to strengthening regional trade and economic integration through the Botswana Dry Port and Trans-Kalahari Corridor.
Minister Emma Theofelus told the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva that Namibia wants AI to be a tool for shared prosperity rather than accessible only to the wealthy, emphasising the need for inclusive digital infrastructure, skills development, and responsible AI governance aligned with Namibia's Digital Transformation Agenda.
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus called for increased investment in digital infrastructure, skills development, and equitable AI access at a Geneva meeting, emphasizing that developing countries must not be left behind as the world shapes AI governance. Namibia is preparing its national AI governance framework anchored on human-centred governance, public sector innovation, and equitable infrastructure.
Namibia's agriculture minister has implemented a Cabinet decision to increase the penalty levy on bycatch from 15% to 50%, citing alarming increases in bycatch volumes and threats to marine biodiversity. The ministry convened stakeholder consultations in response to some fisheries recording increases of more than 200% in bycatch over the past decades.
Namibia's information ministry has launched the Community Media Policy and Implementation Plan 2026-2030, a framework aimed at strengthening community media as a vehicle for democratic participation, social cohesion and inclusive development, with a focus on addressing information gaps in rural and marginalised communities.
Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus visited Angola's newly inaugurated National Data Centre in Camama, Luanda, during the ANGOTIC 2026 conference to study its operations as Namibia advances its own digital infrastructure plans. The visit included briefings on the facility's infrastructure and operations, with discussions between Namibian and Angolan officials on data infrastructure, cloud services, and digital governance.
Telecom Namibia has signed an agreement with Angola's GGPEN to pilot the Angosat-2 satellite to assess its technical performance, service capabilities, and commercial viability for reaching remote communities, lodges, farms, schools, mining operations, and businesses.
The government is considering spending up to N$3 billion to buy a stake in De Beers, reportedly partnering with Angola and Botswana, which already hold 15% of the diamond company. The deal follows Anglo American's decision to exit De Beers and sell its 85% stake, with De Beers' valuation dropping significantly from N$65.7 billion to N$6.9 billion.
Online trolling and harassment are affecting women's political participation in Namibia, with Minister Emma Theofelus noting that many women in politics practice self-censorship by limiting social media engagement. According to political figures, misogynistic attacks aim to undermine women politicians' credibility rather than engage in legitimate political debate, causing them to be more cautious about expressing strong opinions on controversial issues.
Shanapinda, who led Telecom Namibia for six years, has been appointed to lead an organisation responsible for promoting regulatory harmonisation and cooperation among communication regulators in the Southern African Development Community. A new chief executive will be recruited once Telecom Namibia's new board starts on 3 June.
An inaugural 'Inspired By Sessions' public dialogue event will bring prominent Namibian women leaders to Windhoek this Saturday to discuss personal growth and leadership, based on four main principles from the book 'The Four Agreements'. The session will be held at The Barn, Klein Windhoek, from 10h00 to 14h00 for N$300 per person.
Dinapama Managing Director David Namalenga has criticized Namibia's procurement practices for enriching importers at the expense of local manufacturers, arguing that tender policies should prioritize job creation and support for local businesses. He called for procurement reform to measure employment impact and warned that constant changes in tender allocation hinder company growth.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus says Namibia cannot delay technology adoption and must advance its digital economy, emphasising the need for collaboration between government and the private sector to equip young people, especially women, with ICT skills. She made the remarks during the launch of the Women in Tech and 2026 National Talent Cultivation Project.
Cabinet has officially approved the establishment of the Green Industries Council to guide development of the green industries sector, with a focus on industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation. The Council will be chaired by the Director-General of the National Planning Commission and include ministers from finance, industries, agriculture, environment, trade, urban development, the Attorney-General, and the Bank of Namibia Governor.
Namibia's Cabinet has approved Memoranda of Understanding with Tanzania on correctional and prison services, with Angola on satellite communications to improve network coverage, and with South Africa on labour relations. The agreements provide for joint projects, training exchanges, and collaborative initiatives across these fields.
If polio vaccination coverage falls below the 80% target, the government may roll out a fourth round of vaccinations. The third round, conducted 27–30 April, achieved 47% coverage in the first two days, prompting the Cabinet to consider door-to-door vaccinations in certain areas if necessary.
The Physically Active Youth Centre in Windhoek held an event celebrating founding president Sam Nujoma's life and legacy, featuring a photo exhibition curated by participants and the unveiling of a mural portrait created by PAY participants. Alumni testified to how the centre provided access to programmes including cycling, swimming, robotics and other developmental opportunities.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Emma Theofelus has challenged young Namibians to embody the resilience, courage and spirit of resistance demonstrated by founding president Sam Nujoma, speaking at a commemoration event hosted by the Physically Active Youth Empowerment Organisation in Katutura.
Growing social media use among young people in Namibia is raising concerns about its impact on confidence, mental health and online safety. ICT minister Emma Theofelus and children's advocate Ingrid Husselmann warned that young people develop insecurities from comparing themselves to online lifestyles and appearances, and called for responsibility from parents, governments and technology companies.
The Cabinet has approved a new Green Industries Council, replacing the Green Hydrogen Council after it ended in February 2025. The council will oversee Namibia's broader green industrialisation agenda, focusing on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities to accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
Bank Windhoek has launched a WhatsApp Banking Platform to advance payment modernisation and promote financial inclusion in Namibia. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's Executive Director said the platform is the first of its kind, designed to bridge communication and banking and align with the country's national digital strategy.
Telecom Namibia and Angola Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Commercial Terms Agreement to strengthen regional digital connectivity, enabling Angola Telecom to access international bandwidth via Namibia's Equiano Subsea Cable landing station in Swakopmund. The agreement aims to enhance cross-border connectivity, improve network resilience, and support development of a more integrated digital economy along Southern Africa's west coast.
The Cabinet has approved a temporary 12-month relaxation allowing wet-landed horse mackerel vessels to trawl within 150m depth in the 200m isobath zone, a conservation area typically protected to preserve juvenile fish and marine ecosystems. The decision comes as the sector faces reduced quotas, with the 2026 total allowable catch set at 197,000 tonnes, down from 208,000 tonnes in 2025.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, Namibia attracted 59 foreign film projects and local filmmakers produced 36 films, creating 1,240 temporary jobs and contributing an estimated N$47 million to the economy. The government has approved the establishment of a Film and Creative City and is investing in skills development to position Namibia as a competitive creative hub in Africa.
The Cabinet has instructed the ministries of gender equality and home affairs to urgently intensify nationwide awareness campaigns addressing a "disturbing rise" in murders, which are allegedly linked to insurance schemes, land disputes, and religious beliefs. The government also plans to provide mental health support to inmates and scale up nation-building campaigns to promote social cohesion.