Namibia has earmarked N$682 million for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in the 2026/2027 financial year, with funding directed towards expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and accelerating the country’s digital transformation agenda.
ICT Minister Emma Theofelus said the budget will underpin the rollout of the National Digital Strategy (2025–2029), positioning technology as a core enabler of economic participation and service delivery.
“As we move onto the business of the day, I wish to inform this august House that the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology received a total appropriation of Six Hundred and Eighty-Two Million Namibian Dollars (N$682,000,000.00) for the 2026/2027 financial year,” she said.
A central component of the allocation is connectivity. Government has set aside N$78 million to deploy mobile network towers in underserved and rural areas, targeting schools and clinics as anchor points. The rollout will include free public Wi-Fi, aimed at closing access gaps and supporting digital inclusion.
Cybersecurity is also being prioritised, with N$17.4 million allocated to bolster national cyber resilience. Funding will support the Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT), the establishment of a 24-hour Security Operations Centre and the rollout of national cyber drills. Plans are also underway to develop a digital forensics laboratory and finalise long-awaited Cybercrime and Data Protection legislation.
“Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen Namibia’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and information systems. Additionally, the Ministry will continue to implement the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Raising Plan to promote safer online behaviour and instil a culture of cyber hygiene among citizens,” Theofelus said.
Beyond infrastructure and security, the budget signals continued investment in Namibia’s digital content and media ecosystem. Programme 3: Multimedia Services accounts for the largest share at N$452.1 million, including funding for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (N$335.3 million), Namibia Press Agency (N$22.5 million) and New Era Publication Corporation (N$22.5 million). A further N$8 million has been allocated to the Namibia Film Commission to support local content development and digital creative industries.
Government has also set aside N$31.3 million for public information campaigns, with a growing focus on digital awareness, online safety and responsible social media use.
The remaining N$172 million will fund coordination and support services, including investment in regional infrastructure to improve access to ICT services across all 14 regions.
