Namibia’s seismology sector is facing a critical shortage of specialized expertise, raising concerns over the country’s ability to effectively monitor and respond to seismic activity.
Speaking at the ongoing 4th General Assembly of the African Seismological Commission (AfSC), Geologist Mako Sitali from the Ministry of Mines and Energy highlighted the pressing challenge.
She noted that many of those managing the country’s seismology efforts come from different academic backgrounds, lacking specialized training in the field.
“There is a lack of expertise in business technology. I am a trained geologist, not a seismologist. I approach it from a GIS perspective, yet we are the ones managing seismology in our own country,” Sitali said.
She further emphasized that financial constraints exacerbate the problem, limiting investment in training and technology essential for accurate seismic monitoring.
Sitali said the lack of funding not only affects personnel development but also restricts access to vital tools, making it difficult for Namibia to keep pace with other nations in seismic research and preparedness.
“Iran is a small country, yet they have found ways to address similar challenges. So how can we counteract ours?” she said.
Sitali underscored the importance of regional collaboration and resource-sharing to address the skills gap and proposed joint initiatives to enhance expertise and improve data accuracy, suggesting that stronger seismology programs in neighboring countries could serve as a foundation for knowledge-sharing.
“As a region, we can develop telemetry systems, and the optical array is a valuable tool. I’m not sure why they are taking their current approach, but if we collaborate to implement telemetry—especially given that many of us are facing challenges—it would strongly support the regional initiative. The level of interest is clear, as the room is nearly full,” she said.
The conference continues with discussions on strengthening seismic monitoring across Africa, with experts advocating for increased investment and international cooperation to mitigate earthquake risks in vulnerable regions.
