By Kehad Snydewel
Recently, the Bank of Namibia governor Johannes !Gawaxab stated: Some jobs will inevitably vanish as automation and digital technologies advance. Clerical roles such as data capturers, personal assistants, and bank tellers are already being replaced by machines. To the uninitiated, it sounded a lot more alarming than it is. There is always an ebb and flow of jobs, careers, and opportunities as nascent industries and technology are embraced and become mainstream. There are plentiful opportunities within the realm of information and communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Not in other countries or in a few years, but right here and now in Namibia.
Globally, industries are being reshaped by digital transformation. From banking to agriculture, companies are using AI to analyze data, automate processes, and improve decision-making. Namibia must not lag. The country’s young population, if equipped with the right ICT skills, could become a competitive force in Africa’s digital economy.
!Gawaxab’s framework of jobs in immediate demand, jobs for the emerging economy, and jobs becoming obsolete is practical. We must be future-ready. But the real growth engine lies in the second category: the emerging economy. Data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, software developers, and AI engineers are not just “future jobs;” they are jobs in demand right now.
- Economic Diversification: Namibia has long relied on mining and agriculture. ICT and AI can diversify the economy by creating new industries in fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. Even our existing industries are embracing everything from drone technology to AI to optimize workflows, monitor activities, and so much more.
- Youth Employment: With Namibia’s high youth unemployment, digital skills training can unlock opportunities in global remote work markets. A Namibian coder or AI specialist can serve clients anywhere in the world. Not just working from home, but working from Namibia, if you will.
- Public Services: AI can improve healthcare through predictive diagnostics, enhance education with personalized learning platforms, and streamline government services.
- Regional Leadership: By investing early, Namibia could position itself as a Southern African hub for AI innovation, attracting investment and talent.
Namibia’s challenge is its pool of over 600,000 under-skilled citizens. Traditional retraining will not be enough. Instead, the country must build accessible, modular pathways into ICT and AI careers.
Our country’s digital transformation requires a multi-pronged approach that expands access to skills and innovation. Affordable online courses in coding, data science, and AI, delivered through partnerships with global platforms like Coursera, edX, and African-led initiatives. It will democratize world-class learning and make it accessible to Namibians. At the same time, vocational training must evolve to include ICT-focused programs that produce the technicians, network engineers, and developers essential to the digital economy. Our fine universities and polytechnics must establish AI research hubs where students explore machine learning, robotics, and data analytics.
Strong public-private partnerships are critical to scaling these efforts and ensuring Namibia builds a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital ecosystem. Not every Namibian will find employment in established companies. But AI also creates opportunities for entrepreneurship. Startups can build apps for local markets, develop AI tools for agriculture, or create digital platforms for tourism. With access to microfinance and mentorship, young innovators can transform their ideas into viable businesses that create jobs. Local challenges require local solutions, and this is where Namibians can shine and develop focused solutions.
Namibia’s preparation for the future of work is not just about technical training; it is about mindset. We need to see ICT and AI as tools for empowerment. Schools should introduce coding and digital literacy from an early age, ensuring that the next generation grows up fluent in the language of technology. Yes, as the Governor said, automation will make some jobs obsolete, but it will also create entirely new ones. The future of work is digital. If Namibia acts boldly now, it will not just survive the coming disruption—it will lead it.