Namibia is moving forward with comprehensive legislation to govern artificial intelligence and digital safety, including a Draft AI Bill, Data Protection Bill, and Cybercrime Bill. The effort is part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at modernising governance and managing emerging tech risks.
Speaking in Parliament, National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the new legal framework will ensure the ethical and secure use of AI. Supporting efforts include updates to the Communications Act, the rollout of a National AI Strategy, and the creation of an AI Council and Technical Working Groups.
Key legislation under development:
- Data Protection Bill: to safeguard personal privacy
- Cybercrime Bill: to combat digital threats, including AI misuse
- AI Bill: to guide ethical and accountable AI deployment
Namibia is also advancing its e-Parliament Strategy to digitise legislative work and improve public access, especially in remote areas. AI tools like data analytics, chatbots, and virtual research assistants are being explored to support parliamentary operations and citizen engagement.
The country is aligning its regulations with SADC Model Laws on data protection and cybercrime and is working with UNESCO on AI readiness through its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM).
While progress is steady, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged ongoing challenges such as funding gaps, infrastructure limitations, and technical capacity shortages. Risks like data breaches, disinformation, and algorithmic bias are also being monitored.
She affirmed that Namibia’s approach to AI will uphold openness, transparency, and constitutional values—ensuring technology strengthens rather than undermines democracy.
