Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Emma Theofelus

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.

2022-03-192026-07-23
Share on WhatsApp

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. March 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Theofelus says the country is closely following bans in other countries and will engage the public should Namibia be considering to follow suit

    Source

    “Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus says the country is closely following bans in other countries and will engage the public should Namibia be considering to follow suit.”

    Children and Social Media: To Ban or Not to Ban

  3. Informanté

    Emma Theofelus announced Cabinet approval of three education and research MoUs with European partners

    Source

    “The approval of these MoUs was announced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, during the most recent Cabinet briefing.”

    Cabinet approves education and research MoUs with European partners

  4. Informanté

    Emma Theofelus announced official Independence Day celebrations will be held across all 14 regions

    Source

    “"On behalf of Her Excellency, the President, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, I wish to inform the nation that this year's official Independence Day celebrations will be marked across all our 14 regions," the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, announced.”

    Independence Day celebrations to be held across all 14 regions

  5. The Namibian

    Emma Theofelus announced 2026 Independence Day celebrations will be held across all 14 regions

    Source

    “The announcement was made by minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus on Monday.”

    Independence Day celebrations to be held in all 14 regions

  6. The Namibian

    Emma Theofelus announced this year's celebrations theme is 'Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future'

    Source

    “Theofelus further announced that the theme for this year's celebrations is 'Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future', as the country marks its 36th independence anniversary.”

    Independence Day celebrations to be held in all 14 regions
  7. February 2026

  8. New Era

    Information Minister Emma Theofelus described the budget as people-centred and forward-looking

    Source

    “Information minister Emma Theofelus described the budget as people-centred and forward-looking.”

    Social sector takes bulk of N$105b budget … focus on education, health and safety nets

  9. New Era

    Minister Emma Theofelus presented awards as part of the Ethical Use of Social Media Challenge

    Source

    “The awards, presented by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus, were part of national efforts to curb misinformation, disinformation, and online abuse.”

    Ethical Social Media Campaign awards  content creators

  10. The Namibian

    Minister Emma Theofelus said the temporary moratorium was meant to allow a review of official funeral criteria and processes

    Source

    “At the time, minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus said the temporary halt was meant to allow a review of the criteria and processes used to grant official funerals.”

    Military funeral for Nghimtina despite government moratorium

  11. Informanté

    Minister Emma Theofelus called on NORED to expedite connecting three network towers in Kavango West to power grid

    Source

    “THE Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has called on the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) to expedite the process of connecting three network towers in the Kavango West Region to the power grid.”

    Minister urges NORED to fast-track connection of Kavango West towers

  12. Informanté

    The minister highlighted that Kavango West remains one of the least connected regions in the country

    Source

    “The minister made the appeal during a high-level ICT Stakeholders' Engagement held in Nkurenkuru, where she highlighted that Kavango West remains one of the least connected regions in the country.”

    Minister urges NORED to fast-track connection of Kavango West towers
Business

Information Ministry, Swakop Uranium discuss digital partnership

The News

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.

9 hours ago · Informanté →

Yesterday

  1. Information Ministry, Swakop Uranium discuss digital partnership

    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.

    9 hours ago · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Gobabis launches clean-up ahead of Miss Namibia pageant

    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.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 July

  1. African Development Bank funds N$5.6 billion vocational and AI investment

    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.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 July

  1. VP Witbooi calls for ethical communication to combat misinformation

    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.

    18 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 July

  1. Namibia, Botswana reaffirm regional trade ties via Walvis Bay

    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.

    17 July 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 12 July

  1. Namibia urges inclusive global approach to AI governance

    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.

    12 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Namibia calls for investment to bridge artificial intelligence gap

    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.

    8 July 2026 · New Era →

Monday 29 June

  1. Fisheries minister raises bycatch penalty levy to 50%

    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.

    29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Information ministry launches community media policy framework

    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.

    23 June 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Theofelus tours Angola data centre during digital infrastructure visit

    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.

    16 June 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 12 June

  1. Telecom Namibia tests Angola satellite for remote connectivity

    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.

    12 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Namibia considers up to N$3bn stake in diamond firm De Beers

    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.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Online trolling reduces women's public political participation

    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.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Telecom Namibia CEO takes SADC regulatory harmonisation role

    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.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Prominent Namibian women leaders discuss personal growth and leadership

    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.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Dinapama chief urges procurement focus on local manufacturers

    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.

    21 May 2026 · New Era →

Monday 18 May

  1. Minister calls for faster digital transformation, skills development

    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.

    18 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Cabinet approves Green Industries Council for sector development

    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.

    17 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Cabinet approves MoUs with Tanzania, Angola, South Africa

    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.

    17 May 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 16 May

  1. Government may launch fourth polio vaccination round if coverage falls short

    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.

    16 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 15 May

  1. Youth centre honours founding president Nujoma with exhibition and mural

    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.

    15 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister urges youth to uphold Nujoma's legacy

    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.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Social media use raises youth confidence and mental health concerns

    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.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 11 May

  1. Cabinet establishes Green Industries Council to replace hydrogen-focused body

    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.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 3 May

  1. Namibia launches 2026 Cybersecurity Incident Management Guidelines

    The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has officially launched the National Cybersecurity Incident Management Guidelines 2026, a framework designed to strengthen Namibia's cyber resilience and safeguard critical digital infrastructure. The guidelines were developed by the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team under the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia and launched in Ondangwa, bringing together government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.

    3 May 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Bank Windhoek launches WhatsApp Banking for financial inclusion

    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.

    28 April 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 27 April

  1. Namibia, Angola sign telecom cooperation agreement

    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.

    27 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 24 April

  1. Cabinet relaxes 200m fishing depth rule for horse mackerel

    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.

    24 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. Namibia's creative industry gains momentum with film projects and new city

    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.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

  1. Cabinet directs intensified GBV and crime prevention campaigns nationwide

    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.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Emma Theofelus — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute