Create Namibian and African solutions, PM urges

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on Namibia’s public servants, youth and civil society to embrace innovation as central to national development.

He said this last Wednesday during his keynote at the first-ever Public Service Innovation Conference in Windhoek.

“Economic transformation cannot occur without institutional transformation. A thriving, agile and resilient economy requires a compatible public service,” Ngurare said.

He underscored that slow administrative processes impede entrepreneurs, investors and content creators alike.

“Policies do not implement themselves," the premier added. "The responsibility lies with us as leaders, managers and public servants to ensure that innovation is embedded in everyday practice," he said.

Ngurare highlighted the need for functional innovation committees within government and for “innovation champions" to be empowered, with performance systems rewarding creativity, collaboration and measurable results.

Local and African solutions

He said the country’s youthful demographic requires responsibility but also offers vast opportunities.

“A modern economy requires practical skills. A modern public sector requires technical competencies in digital systems, data management, infrastructure maintenance and service optimisation,” he said.

Ngurare said there is an urgent need to strengthen technical and vocational education and training institutions to ensure youth are equipped with industry-relevant skills to support industrialisation and service transformation.

The prime minister also stressed the need for domestic innovation and technological self-reliance.

Drawing on his studies in the United States, he encouraged Namibians to “develop confidence in ourselves. When we see someone showcasing expertise, let’s hold hands with that person. They might stumble, but we must not condemn them at the first trial… Let’s dream it, make it, and put it into practice.”

He added: "We must be deliberate in creating Namibian and African solutions".

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