Prepared by: Helene Vosloo Head: Economics and Sector Research “STIMULATING THE NAMIBIAN DIGITAL ECONOMY”

The Namibian Economy Is a: – Network, – Goods and services that are freely produced, – Goods and services are exchanged = demand and supply, – Via cash or credit

The Economic Cycle FARM BUTCHER – JOBS AUCTION RESTAURANT SERVICE

The Namibian “DIGITAL” Economy … is based on: -ICT infrastructure -to allow new opportunities/challenges -for business and government.

The Namibian “DIGITAL” Economy FARM BUTCHER – JOBS AUCTION RESTAURANT SERVICE

“DIGITAL” Economy…based on ICT Infrastructure

Contribution to Namibian GDP ICT is an ENABLER! ICT is a catalyst! ICT is the foundation!

Contribution to Namibian GDP ICT continues to add significantly to economic development specifically development to Namibian economy

ICT Contribution to Namibian GDP 2007: 2.9% = N$1833m 2008: 2.9% = N$ 1883m NAMIBIAN ECONOMY (mining, fishing, tourism, agriculture etc.) Research ICT Africa, 2010

ICT Contribution to Other Economies Mauritius 6.7% Ghana1.8% Nigeria3.5% South Africa10%

– new opportunities/challenges business and government? -LOCAL AND RELEVANT CONTENT -HIGHER SPEED -NEW INFRASTRUCTURE -HUMAN RESOURCES -ICT SKILLS -INNOVATE – NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES -CAPEX FUNDING -NEW POLICIES, LAWS AND REGULATIONS “DIGITAL” Economy…based on ICT Infrastructure

New opportunities for innovation? Future daily use of ICT’s in Namibia to be stimulated? -Local and relevant content -Knowledge creation -Develop software and applications – games, Internet banking, Internet websites, anti-virus programs, etc. “DIGITAL” Economy…based on ICT Infrastructure

Current Daily use of ICT’s in Namibia?

Future Daily use of ICT’s in Namibia to be stimulated?

Namibian Born Herman Heunis Opportunities for Innovation?

DTT: Opportunity for Innovation?

– Does Namibia have the above in place? – How is Namibia ranked internationally w.r.t. the digital economy? “DIGITAL” Economy…based on ICT Infrastructure

Namiba’s Ranking by the Global Competitiveness Report Namibia was ranked by 2 recent reports on the ICT sector: – The Global Competitiveness Report – The Global Information Technology Report The Global Competitiveness Report measured Namibia i.t.o. technological Readiness. Namibia was ranked 99 th out of 142 countries.

Technological Readiness: – the speed to adopt existing technologies, – to enhance the productivity of industries, – with specific emphasis on its capacity to fully utilise ICT for innovation, – in daily activities and production processes, – for increased efficiency and competitiveness. Namiba’s Ranking by the Global Competitiveness Report

Namibia’s Ranking by the Global Information Technology Report The Global Information Technology Report ranks countries according to an index called Networked Readiness. It is developed from 10 pillars constituting several indices. Namibia ranks 105 th out of 142 countries.

Networked Readiness Index 2012

PILLAR 1: Political and Regulatory Environment

PILLAR 2: Business and Innovation Environment

PILLAR 3: Infrastructure and Digital Content

PILLAR 4: Affordability

Some Current Namibian Statistics Namibia 3 rd Cheapest In Africa in March 2012

PILLAR 5: Skills

PILLAR 6: Individual Usage

PILLAR 7: Business Usage

PILLAR 8: Government Usage

PILLAR 9: Economic Impacts

PILLAR 10: Social Impacts

Social and Economic Impact – MDG 2015 E-Job creation – reduce poverty E-skills training and development – Primary ICT Education E-health Gender Economic Empowerment

Social and Economic Impact Targets: – Growing industrial sector – Modernised agricultural sector – Educated and Healthy people

Social and Economic Impact How: – Modern ICT Infrastructure Amend VISON 2030 to address the knowledge-based economy

Social and Economic Impact – ICT Infrastructure development “Modern, reliable infrastructure is critical for high and sustained economic growth. Without such infrastructure, almost everything in the economic value chain tends to be slower, less reliable, and more expensive than necessary. ”

Social and Economic Impact NDP4 – High and sustained economic growth – Increased income equality – Employment creation

Social and Economic Impact NDP4 – Identify and Deploy strategically identified ICT Projects, Software and Applications Development for targeted interventions in strategic economic sectors, by partnering between the USF and NPC : Logistics Tourism Manufacturing Agriculture

Conclusion

ICT Ecosystem

It starts with the citizen! The citizens aspirations and hope for a decent quality of living! Namibian ICT Ecosystem

1

Finally… LETS START THE NATIONAL DISCUSSION: – ON DEVELOPING A NAMIBIAN ICT ECOSYSTEM ROADMAP – THAT IS BASED ON THE DIGITAL ECONOMY…

Discussions have started between…

Thank you!