In a significant move poised to accelerate Namibia’s digital economy and public sector modernization, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has launched an ambitious fundraising drive for a nationwide Mega Hackathon. Speeches by senior officials at high-profile fundraising events this week framed the October 15th event not merely as a competition, but as a vital economic catalyst and the practical engine room for the country’s newly launched National Digital Strategy.
Acting Executive Director Linda Aipinge, addressing a fundraising gathering on August 15th, declared the Mega Hackathon a critical investment in Namibia’s digital future. “Today, we are not just gathering resources — we are investing in ideas, innovation, and the bright minds that will shape our digital future,” Aipinge stated. She emphasized that hackathons serve as platforms where creativity meets technology, problems meet solutions, and the next generation of digital leaders is born. The funds raised, she stressed, are essential to provide young Namibian innovators with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities needed to transform their concepts into impactful solutions for the public sector, the wider economy, and society. Aipinge explicitly linked the event to the National Digital Strategy, calling it a “driving force” to kickstart its implementation, acknowledging the profound impact digital services already have on Namibian lives.
This message of strategic economic importance was powerfully reinforced by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, at a separate fundraiser on August 14th. Minister Theofelus positioned the Mega Hackathon as a direct, practical complement to the comprehensive National Digital Strategy launched just a week prior. This strategy, she explained, focuses on integrating digital technologies across sectors, developing digital skills, and fostering innovation to enhance public services, improve the economy, and promote social inclusion.
“The Mega Hackathon will provide a platform for innovators, students and graduates to advance and create digital solutions that solve national problems, enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of government services,” Minister Theofelus announced. She described the fundraising initiative as harnessing the “boundless creativity” of young Namibians to elevate public service delivery and solve real societal problems through digital platforms. The core mission, she outlined, is to empower youth by granting them opportunities to build solutions addressing real-life challenges, simplifying citizen access to essential services, digitizing government services, and driving inclusive innovation – all key economic and governance objectives.
Minister Theofelus delivered a compelling economic argument for urgent public sector digitization, directly linking it to private sector growth and national competitiveness. “We, as Government, recognize that we must lead the way in digitalisation if we are to create an environment where the private sector can truly thrive,” she asserted. Highlighting a critical bottleneck, she pointed out, “It is of little benefit if businesses modernise their systems, yet cannot seamlessly interface with Government. If simple permits are still processed manually, and procedures remain lengthy and cumbersome, we will continue to face hurdles in ensuring compliance and efficiency.” The Mega Hackathon, she argued, is designed to overcome bureaucratic inertia and the “fear of technology” by giving government agencies practical exposure and momentum to embrace digital solutions developed by local talent.
Crucially, Minister Theofelus emphasized that youth involvement is not about future potential but immediate economic agency. “The time for Youth-led digital transformation is now! Young Namibians are not just future leaders but are today’s change makers,” she declared. Tapping into their digital talents, rooted in local needs, is seen as essential for accelerating social progress and developing truly relevant tech solutions. The Mega Hackathon will specifically channel this inventive energy towards improving access, efficiency, and accountability in government services – targeting areas like public sector performance management, registration portals, learning management systems, and feedback mechanisms. This, the Minister stated, is a tangible demonstration of the government’s trust in its citizens, particularly the youth.
Both officials issued a clarion call for collaboration. Aipinge urged stakeholders to contribute “time, resources, or simply your voice” to empower Namibians to thrive in the digital era. Minister Theofelus made a direct appeal to industry leaders: “Dear captain of industries, friends in ICT and colleagues, we stand at the edge of a digital transformation era, in times where our collective resourcing of this initiative can ignite our digital future.” She concretely offered to receive funding pledges personally at her office on Fridays, underscoring the initiative’s high priority.
The Mega Hackathon, scheduled for October 15, 2025, in Windhoek, thus emerges as far more than a technical event. It represents the Namibian government’s flagship operational initiative to breathe life into its National Digital Strategy. By mobilizing youth innovation to tackle public sector inefficiencies head-on, fostering public-private partnerships through fundraising, and aiming to create seamless digital interfaces between government and business, Namibia is betting on the Mega Hackathon as a pivotal step towards unlocking “immense value” for its economy and achieving a “truly digital government.” As Minister Theofelus concluded, the goal is collective: “Together, we can achieve the deemed impossible!” The success of this fundraising drive and the subsequent hackathon will be a key indicator of Namibia’s progress on its ambitious digital transformation journey.