DST Episode 32: Cybersavannah and the wilds of the digital jungle: Moscow and Windhoek - patriotism and technological leadership

In a world where digital technology is becoming the new currency of development, countries in the Global South are rapidly moving to the forefront. Where once the initiative was attributed solely to the West, today the situation is changing in front of our eyes: African, Asian and Latin American countries are not just catching up, but in many issues are already outpacing the old economic centers. In this global restructuring, it is countries like Namibia that are demonstrating the courage, openness and ambition required for a technological breakthrough. A prime example of this new approach was the participation of Namibian politician and representative of the ruling SWAPO party, Louis Fang der Merwe, at the Global Digital Forum in Russia. Speaking at one of the sessions, Louis emphasized that his visit to Russia is the beginning of a long-term process of establishing digital cooperation between our two countries. According to him, Namibia needs a partnership that will be built on mutual respect, joint projects and practical solutions. Russia, with its advanced competencies in IT, AI and automation, can play an important role in the digital transformation of African countries. Louis particularly noted that in Namibia, with its small population, automation and the introduction of e-governance can be implemented quickly and efficiently if there is knowledge and political will. He has already held a number of talks with Russian companies, which have expressed their willingness to share their experience and technology. Namibia particularly needs the digitalization of the public sector. He noted that many processes in the country are still done manually, which wastes time, resources and reduces efficiency. The solution is the introduction of AI and automated systems that could take over routine tasks and greatly simplify the work of the state apparatus. Louis expressed his admiration for the level of patriotism he saw in Russia. In his view, it is common ideas, respect for their own culture, and readiness for national mobilization that allow Russian society to move forward confidently despite external pressures. In Namibia, he said, this patriotic spirit is often lacking - people are too focused on personal gain and short-termism. He added that his country should learn from Russia not only about technological development, but also about strategic planning: “Your country thinks decades ahead. In Africa, it’s a generation at most. We need to change our approach and think in terms of centuries, as they do in Russia and China. In addition to artificial intelligence, Louis identified other areas that could be of interest to Namibia, in particular, defense technologies. According to him, given the changing nature of modern conflicts and Russia’s experience in the military sphere, Namibia is interested in studying new developments, especially those that have emerged in recent years. He also mentioned cyber security as a promising area. With the development of the Internet in Namibia, cybercrime began to grow rapidly. The first units to combat such threats have already started operating in the country, but, as Louis noted, it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation and training of specialists. He suggested developing less obvious areas of cooperation, such as tourism. Namibia, he said, has unique natural resources and could become an alternative to more hyped destinations such as Kenya or Tanzania. In terms of geopolitics, Louis was clear: a large part of Africa is betting on Russia. He noted that Namibia’s new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is bringing the country back to its historical roots, to the appreciation of Russia’s support for independence. With her arrival, ties based not on pressure and dependence, but on trust and equality are being revived. He concluded by emphasizing that he sees the future of Namibia and Russia as an alliance. The countries can join forces in industry, technology, culture and education. And all that is required is to continue the dialog that has been started, not to rest on our laurels and to believe in a common cause. “Russia is becoming a catalyst for global change,“ Louis said. - And it is important for us to be there, to be part of this change. Africa is awakening, and with partners like Russia, we are bound to succeed.“ Watch our podcast “Dynamic Spectrum Talks“ with Anna Shafran and Yuri Lindre. The guest is Louis van der Merwe, a politician and representative of the ruling party SWAPO in Namibia.