Namibia Moves to Regulate AI with Draft Laws and National Strategy

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Namibia is advancing comprehensive legislation to govern artificial intelligence and digital safety, including a Draft Artificial Intelligence Bill, a Data Protection Bill, and a Cybercrime Bill. According to Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to modernise governance and mitigate risks tied to digital technologies.

She emphasised that Namibia is finalising crucial legal instruments to create a robust framework for the ethical and secure deployment of AI. These efforts are supported by updates to the Communications Act and the launch of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, guided by a newly proposed AI Council and Technical Working Groups.

Key legislative components include:

• A Data Protection Bill to safeguard privacy and secure personal data
• A Cybercrime Bill to address digital threats, including potential AI misuse
• A Draft AI Bill to provide governance over the ethical use of AI

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also highlighted the e-Parliament Strategy, which aims to digitise legislative processes and boost citizen engagement, especially in remote areas. The strategy envisions improved service delivery, more efficient legislative operations, and better-informed decisions through digital tools.

Namibia is exploring AI technologies such as data analytics, chatbots, and virtual research assistants to enhance parliamentary functions and public engagement. However, she stressed that AI will be used to augment—not replace—human decision-making, reaffirming a commitment to democratic values and transparency.

The country is aligning its legal framework with SADC Model Laws on data protection, cybercrime, and e-commerce, and is collaborating with UNESCO to assess readiness for ethical AI adoption through the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) project.

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Despite progress, challenges remain, including limited funding, infrastructure, and technical capacity. Risks like algorithmic bias, data breaches, and disinformation are being closely monitored. Namibia’s approach, the Speaker concluded, will be grounded in openness, accountability, and constitutional principles, ensuring that AI adoption strengthens rather than undermines democracy.