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NCRST Launches National AI Institute to Drive Namibia’s Digital Economy
Namibia's National AI Institute to bridge higher-education skills gaps, foster local innovation, and position youth for regional digital exports.
By: Johanna Festus
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) has recently launched Namibia’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute in Windhoek, establishing a structured platform to harness emerging technologies, drive economic growth and prepare the country’s workforce for the digital economy.
The institute is structured around four core centres focusing on research, software development, innovation and datasets, with the aim of accelerating practical AI applications across key sectors, including healthcare, food security, energy and public service delivery.
Speaking at the launch, NCRST Chief Executive Officer, Anicia Peters said responsible and ethical AI would serve as a guiding principle for the institute.
By bringing together national datasets and technical expertise, the institute seeks to address the gap between outputs from higher education institutions and the skills and technological solutions required by industry.
Beyond domestic skills development, the establishment of the institute also aligns with Namibia’s broader digital transformation and continental trade ambitions, as businesses increasingly adopt AI and other emerging technologies to improve productivity and competitiveness.
The institute said it will collaborate with government institutions, higher education institutions and private-sector partners to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem, with Namibian youth positioned at the forefront of the country’s technological transformation.
