Namibia is developing legislation to govern artificial intelligence and digital safety, including a Draft Artificial Intelligence Bill, a Data Protection Bill, and a Cybercrime Bill.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said these efforts form part of a broader strategy to modernise governance and manage the risks tied to digital technologies.
“Namibia is actively finalising critical legislative instruments that provide a robust governance framework addressing the challenges that come with AI integration,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She noted these instruments are supported by reforms to the Communications Act and the introduction of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. A National Artificial Intelligence Council and Technical Working Groups are expected to guide implementation.
“This includes the Data Protection Bill to ensure personal privacy and data security, the Cybercrime Bill to address digital threats including AI misuse and a Draft Artificial Intelligence Bill, which will guide the ethical deployment of AI technologies,” she said.
Namibia’s Parliament is also pushing ahead with the e-Parliament Strategy, which aims to digitise internal processes and public engagement.
“Our National Assembly is gradually embracing digital transformation through the e-Parliament Strategy, which lays the foundation for improved service delivery, legislative efficiency, and citizen interaction,” she said.
The strategy envisions accessibility in remote areas and seeks to strengthen Parliament’s core functions. It also aims to equip lawmakers with tools and platforms that support informed decisions and improve engagement.
“Specifically, the effective implementation of the interventions in the Strategy will enable the MPs to have easy access to a wide range of information and knowledge resources, thus aiding them in making informed decisions and fulfilling their responsibilities,” she said.
Namibia is exploring AI tools like data analytics and natural language processing to help Parliament better understand public concerns.
Applications under consideration include chatbots, transcription automation, and digital research assistants.
“Legislative research and analysis could also be generated by the use of AI in the form of chatbots and virtual assistants to assist our MPs prepare thoroughly for their oversight functions and facilitate evidence-based policy formulation,” she said.
Despite these plans, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said AI will not replace human decision-making. “Our commitment is to use AI to support, not supplant, democratic processes,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She noted that Namibia is aligning national laws with SADC Model Laws and regional cyber frameworks.
“Some relevant regional frameworks, such as the SADC Model Laws on Data Protection, Cybercrime, e-Commerce, Electronic Transactions, as well as the SADC Cyber Infrastructure Framework, are strong and useful guiding legal frameworks that are relevant to the current and future legislation on AI,” she said.
The country is working with UNESCO to assess its readiness for ethical AI adoption as part of the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) project.
Challenges include funding constraints, limited infrastructure, and technical skills shortages.
“The vulnerabilities of the region, such as the inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, human capacity and regulatory frameworks remain a challenge in fully leveraging the benefits that come with the employment of AI in parliamentary processes,” she said.
Namibia is also considering risks such as algorithmic bias, data breaches, and disinformation.
“Concerns such as data privacy breaches, the risk of algorithmic biases, and the manipulation of information (including through deepfakes) are being actively considered,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She said AI adoption will proceed with safeguards to protect democratic accountability and Namibia’s approach will prioritise openness and constitutional principles.
“Our aim is to adopt AI in a way that enhances participation, strengthens accountability, and preserves democratic principles,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said in remarks delivered at the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
