How Will Namibia’s Digital Infrastructure Benefit from Chinese Support?

China's latest investment in Namibia digital infrastructure aims to accelerate connectivity, expand digital services, and strengthen the country's technological development and economic growth.

Namibia's Smart City pilot project has received ¥98 million (about US$14.4 million) from China to strengthen Namibia’s digital infrastructure, enhance AI capabilities, and support talent development over the course of a ten-year modernization program. In a meeting held with the technology firm Huawei at its Shenzhen office and exhibition center, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is currently on a one-week state visit in China, expressed her appreciation for the contribution.

In an effort to improve digital public service and increase AI and digital infrastructure of Namibia, the funding will be helpful in fostering innovations, industrialization, and skills. The areas of cooperation in AI, digital inclusion, and workforce development, among others, were discussed during the meeting. The meeting provided Nandi-Ndaitwah an opportunity to express her gratitude officially despite the fact that the deal had been concluded previously.

"In partnership with Huawei, Namibia is championing digital inclusion while preparing its workforce to thrive amid AI-driven market shifts." - Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia.

According to the reports tracked by CIO Bulletin, the initiative is a component of the Windhoek People-Centred Smart City Strategy (2026–2036), which uses digital technology to increase public safety, data-driven urban planning, better public infrastructure, and digital government services. Along with enhancing service delivery for citizens and businesses, the strategy aims to enhance the city's digital economy. The development initiative will run for ten years, until 2036.

Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Huawei's cooperation on smart city solutions and an AI-ready national data center with Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security as well as the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. She said the partnership would concentrate on giving Namibians access to digital skills and job possibilities.

According to Leo Chen, Senior Vice President of sales at Huawei Enterprise, Namibia's development ambitions are well-suited to Huawei's expertise in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Huawei will strive to facilitate Namibia's vision of becoming a digital nation, with data sovereignty, and smarter governance.