WINDHOEK, June 19  — Namibia has launched a specialized training program aimed at significantly strengthening its aeronautical data systems and ensuring compliance with international aviation standards.

The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in partnership with United for Aviation Technology Services (United ATS), officially launched the three-week Aeronautical Surveying and Data Management Training at the NCAA headquarters in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NCAA Executive Director Toska Sem welcomed participants and emphasized the critical role accurate and timely aeronautical data plays in ensuring safe and efficient air navigation.

“This training comes at a crucial time when our aviation industry is evolving rapidly. The need for a standardized geodetic reference system, particularly the World Geodetic System 1984, cannot be overstated.

Accurate data underpins everything from airport positioning to flight procedure design,” said Sem. Sem urged the NCAA and the Namibia Airports Company to ensure timely data validation and publishing to maintain a safe and secure airspace.

Sem further cautioned that delays in data validation and publication have become a haven for attracting significant safety concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organization, particularly regarding expired or unreviewed instrument flight procedures.

The official launch concluded with a special acknowledgment of the instructors from United ATS, who traveled from Egypt to share their expertise and support Namibia in building capacity for sustainable aviation data systems. (Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, June 18  — Namibia on Wednesday called on Commonwealth member states to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), linking the continent’s integration efforts to wider global trade cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth Business Summit in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said stronger support from Commonwealth nations would help Africa increase intra-regional trade, attract investment, and accelerate industrialization.

“It is important that Africa increase intra-African trade, industrialize Africa, and attract investment in the continent,” she said. “I urge Commonwealth member states to support the efforts of the AfCFTA integration process.”

She highlighted that most member states represent developing and smaller economies amid rising geopolitical tensions, climate threats, trade disruptions, and food insecurity.

The minister stressed the need for a transformational agenda that focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises, women-led businesses, and digital trade.

Ashipala-Musavyi also encouraged business leaders and policymakers to explore investment opportunities in Namibia across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, mining, and digital innovation.

The Commonwealth Business Summit is being held for the first time outside Britain and runs from Wednesday to Friday in Windhoek, alongside the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting. (Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, June 17  — Namibia has called for greater financial support from both public and private sectors to scale up efforts to restore degraded land and mitigate the mounting impacts of desertification and drought, a senior government official said Tuesday.

Speaking at the national commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025, Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Indileni Daniel stressed the urgent need for substantial investment to expand restoration programs across the country.

“While the benefits of restoration far outweigh the costs, initial investments in the magnitude of billions are needed,” the minister said.

“We need to unlock new sources of finance, create decent land-based jobs, and fast-track innovations while making the most of traditional knowledge.”

According to Daniel, Namibia has set ambitious targets under its Land Degradation Neutrality program, including reforesting 1,380 hectares, improving the productivity of savannas and croplands, reducing bush encroachment on 1.9 million hectares, and maintaining soil organic carbon levels beyond 2040.

The government views these efforts as critical to ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, and building resilience against the effects of climate change, she said.

Daniel also confirmed Namibia’s participation in the African Great Green Wall Initiative and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative which together aim to restore over 105 million hectares of land across Southern Africa by 2030.

Through these programs, Namibia hopes to mobilize additional funding for sustainable land use, agroforestry, and ecosystem restoration projects.

Namibia, a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification since 1997, continues to integrate its commitments into national policy and calls for stronger international cooperation to address desertification and drought. (Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, June 17  — Namibia is prioritizing the revamp of its government communication strategies to enhance transparency and effectiveness in the digital age, an official announced Tuesday.

Audrin Mathe, executive director of Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, made the remarks at a retreat for government communications officers, underscoring the critical nature of this transformation.

“We live in an era where information travels at the speed of light, where citizens expect immediate access to government services and real-time updates on policy developments, and where transparency is not merely a democratic ideal but a fundamental requirement for effective governance,” Mathe said.

Emphasizing that governmental transparency is a strategic imperative that bolsters effectiveness, builds public trust, and strengthens democratic institutions, Mathe said Namibia is taking deliberate steps to embed this principle into its communication systems.

Mathe further explained how technology serves as a powerful enabler of both transparency and impact in government communication, but only when it is used strategically and inclusively.

Namibia’s National Digital Strategy, he said, includes a unified government services portal that reflects a commitment to citizen-centered service delivery.

However, Mathe cautioned that these technological advancements also present significant challenges. “Digital divides can exclude vulnerable populations from important communications, misinformation can spread as quickly as accurate information, and cybersecurity concerns demand that we balance openness with the protection of sensitive information and citizen privacy,” he said.

To address these issues, Mathe called for greater investment in building both human and systemic capacity across multiple dimensions.

“Our communications officers must develop technical skills for digital platforms and data analysis tools, strategic communication skills for designing impactful campaigns, and cultural competence to navigate Namibia’s linguistic and cultural diversity whilst maintaining consistency in core government positions,” he concluded. (Xinhua)