By Ella-Betty Chapoto
Digital literacy refers to the ability to use technological devices such as computers, smartphones, and the internet to access, understand, evaluate, interpret, and communicate information effectively and efficiently.
Additionally, digital literacy is facilitated by elements such as infrastructure which includes functional and reliable internet services and devices amongst others. Consequently, these elements empower individuals to make informed decisions and solve day-to-day problems and unlock opportunities for individuals and communities to participate meaningfully in modern economic and social activities.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia’s (CRAN) Quarterly Statistics Bulletin for the period January to March 2025, indicates a 2% decrease in mobile broadband usage via mobile phones, whereas mobile broadband usage through dongles and routers increased by 12%. Furthermore, Namibians primarily utilise the internet for social media with Facebook leading, followed by WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. The data highlights a shift in the population’s preference toward data intensive, multimedia-driven platforms.
Furthermore, when a population becomes digitally literate, it can overcome traditional barriers such as geography, infrastructure, and income levels in order to engage in and benefit from various socio-economic activities. Digital literacy opens new avenues for inclusion and offers a myriad of opportunities that can be explored.
To illustrate, online education offers flexibility and a wealth of educational opportunities, promotes personal development, professional growth, and lifelong learning bridging the gap for those with limited access to physical learning facilities.
Similarly, industries are steadily moving their processes, including recruitment processes to digital platforms. Without basic digital literacy, individuals may find themselves excluded from both local and global employment opportunities. Bridging this skills gap is critical to ensure equal access to jobs and to keep pace with digital transformation in the workplace.
Digital literacy also improves access to healthcare services. More often now, medical professionals are also venturing into online consultations and prescriptions. Similarly pharmaceutical services are dispensing prescribed medication and delivering it at your doorstep. These innovations reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and help ensure timely medical care.
In addition, digital literacy in the form of e-commerce equips entrepreneurs with the tools to expand their reach beyond physical borders, opening new markets, and improving service delivery. This enables local businesses, whether small startups or large enterprises, to grow competitiveness and resilience. E-commerce allows entrepreneurs to buy and sell goods or services online and spans models like business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and consumer-to-consumer (C2C).
Thus, being digitally literate is a necessity as it enables individuals to fully participate in a rapidly changing digital society. Importantly, it forms part of a broader digital ecosystem that must be supported by infrastructure, policy, and public-private cooperation.
To this end, CRAN has embarked on various initiatives and projects to boost digital literacy at various schools and public resource centres across Namibia. CRAN has similarly reinforced its commitment to partnerships and collaboration by partnering with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture for greater impact and countrywide reach.
As Namibia moves toward a more connected and inclusive future, may we all harness the vast opportunities presented through digital literacy, enabling growth and empowering all citizens to derive the full socio-economic benefit.
Ella-Betty Chapoto is a Practitioner: Consumer Relations and Advocacy at Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)