Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Organization

Ministry of Information and Communication Technology

Also known as: Ministry of Information and Communication · Ministry of Information · the ministries of information · ICT ministry · MICT · Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology · ICT · Ministry of Information and Communication Technology – Republic of Namibia · Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) · Ministry of Information and Communications Technology · MICT in Kavango West

Namibian government ministry overseeing ICT policy, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and media sector engagement; launched 2025–2030 digital expansion strategy.

Politics

Cybercrime bill has serious flaws, experts say

The News

The final draft of Namibia's cybercrime bill contains multiple shortcomings including undefined terms around computer viruses, cyberbullying, and obscene images that could lead to unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and inadequate victim protection. The author argues the bill should be improved before parliamentary submission, citing concerns that key provisions lack clarity, may inhibit online speech, and could create practical enforcement problems.

Why it matters

Namibia's draft cybercrime bill contains vague and overly broad definitions that could infringe on constitutional rights to free speech while failing to adequately protect vulnerable groups like children from online harm. If passed in its current form, the law risks constitutional challenges and may do more harm than good without significant revision.

21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Cybercrime bill has serious flaws, experts say

    The final draft of Namibia's cybercrime bill contains multiple shortcomings including undefined terms around computer viruses, cyberbullying, and obscene images that could lead to unconstitutional restrictions on free speech and inadequate victim protection. The author argues the bill should be improved before parliamentary submission, citing concerns that key provisions lack clarity, may inhibit online speech, and could create practical enforcement problems.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Bank Windhoek launches WhatsApp banking service

    Bank Windhoek has launched a WhatsApp banking service that allows customers to conduct transactions and access services through the messaging platform. The move reflects the bank's commitment to innovation and meeting customers where they communicate, building on its introduction of cellphone banking in 2006.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. Yango drivers struggle as permit approvals stall for months

    Yango says drivers face income loss due to prolonged permit approval delays from the Roads Authority, with some waiting up to 12 months despite submitting required documentation and fees. The company calls on the Ministry of Works and Transport to streamline the process and allow compliant drivers to work while applications are processed.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Namibia's new information commissioner post criticized as wasteful

    An opinion piece argues that appointing an information commissioner at N$1.4 million annually is unnecessary bureaucracy, asserting existing government institutions and online resources already provide public information. The author contends that inefficiency in government responsiveness, not lack of access, is the real problem Namibia should address.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

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 →

Monday 6 April

  1. All-women camera crew covers Namibian Newspaper Cup event

    An all-women camera crew from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology documented the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2026, reflecting growing female representation in Namibia's technical media roles. The three-member crew—Ester Mweulyao, Ndakondja Kapenambili, and Hendrina Kagolo—hold qualifications in media studies, communications, and electronics from various local institutions.

    6 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 5 April

  1. President to appoint eight deputy ministers and new minister

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Government allocates N$78 million for ICT infrastructure rollout

    The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology announced a N$682 million budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with N$78 million dedicated to deploying Radio Access Network sites across remote regions to expand internet coverage. The ministry will also invest N$17.4 million in cybersecurity programmes, including a national digital forensics laboratory and a 24-hour security operations centre.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Yango driver partners seek three-month permit extension

    Yango's partners are lobbying the Ministry of Works and Transport to extend a 28-day permit deadline to three months, citing high temporary costs (N$850/month) and concerns about system delays from processing over 6,000 vehicle registrations. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi said the sector must comply with existing regulations and warned that non-compliant operators will face action from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Zambezi floods displace households, strain services, worsen human-wildlife conflict

    Rising water levels in the Zambezi River during March displaced residents, caused loss of income, and isolated communities from schools and healthcare. The flooding has also intensified human-wildlife conflict as animals compete for reduced available land, with elephants damaging crop fields in some areas.

    2 April 2026 · Informanté →

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