WINDHOEK - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is working towards a plan to advance Information Communication Technology (ICT), as the most important economic sector in the country.
A staggering N$320 million has been earmarked over the next five years, to fulfil this Vision 2030 objective that wants to see Namibian-based ICT service companies as competitive players on international markets, exporting to a large extent tailor-made hardware and software to the global market using electronic business.
The amount excludes the annual subsidies to parastatals such as the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, the Namibian Press Agency, New Era Publications Corporation and NamZim Newspapers.
Line minister, Joel Kaapanda, says the targets set for the ICT sector in Vision 2030 are eight years behind schedule.
"By 2010, which is next year, Vision 2030 wants to see achievements in the ICT sector that include massive foreign investments in research institutions in Namibia," Kaapanda said.
The goal is to have Internet access in virtually all rural areas through the deployment of innovative technology, and government institutions that provide e-business services to the Namibian public and foreign investors.
"It is no secret that Namibia was once a leader in this sector in SADC and on the African continent. Unfortunately, our ratings have dropped," Kaapanda remarked.
He said although the country's telephone and cellular infrastructure is still among the highest on the continent, it is lagging behind in policy implementation, legal and regulatory frameworks, access for all, affordability and human resource capacity.
Kaapanda attributes this to the sector that was fragmented until last year with the creation of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, resulting in important sectoral functions coming together under one roof.
The minister said what now remains is to adopt the ministry's strategic plan, implement the ministry's mandate and create a statutory inter-ministerial ICT coordinating body.
"This body must consult and plan together to ensure that the available financial resources are used to best serve the nation and to bring an end to the costly duplication of services," Kaapanda added.
Regarding the Vision 2030 backlog, Kaapanda said it is not necessary to despair although the backlog is huge.
He said the ministry has, during the current financial year, invested time in the review, update and development of the ICT Policy, the Telecommunication Policy, Postal Policy, Broadcasting Policy and an Overarching ICT Policy.
The long-awaited Information Communication Bill, expected to create an autonomous regulator, levelling playing fields in the communication industry has been finalised and might be enacted during the first sitting of Parliament this year.
Cabinet has also guaranteed N$250 million for the construction of an undersea cable that will enhance broadband access and bring a landing point to Namibia.
The completion of the cable is expected to increase Internet speed and enhance access at more affordable prices.
Kaapanda, who was speaking at the stakeholders' meeting on the ministry's five-year strategic plan, said although a lot of groundwork has been done to position Namibia in the international information society, the industry faces serious challenges.
He said challenges are the approval of the ministerial structure, attracting and retaining the necessary human capacity to implement and drive the development and growth of the ICT sector and an adequate budgetary allocation for the 2009/10 and future financial years.
