Namibia Advances AI Governance with New Draft Bills and Digital Transformation Strategy

Namibia is moving to establish a legal framework to regulate artificial intelligence and enhance digital security, with the development of three key bills: a Draft Artificial Intelligence Bill, a Data Protection Bill, and a Cybercrime Bill.

Speaking at the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the legislation forms part of a broader national strategy to modernize governance and manage the risks associated with emerging 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.

The legislative efforts are backed by reforms to the Communications Act and the development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Implementation will be guided by a newly established National Artificial Intelligence Council and Technical Working Groups.

“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 advancing an e-Parliament Strategy aimed at digitizing its 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 aims to enhance accessibility, particularly in remote areas, while improving lawmakers' capacity to make informed decisions.

“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,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

Namibia is exploring AI applications such as data analytics and natural language processing to help Parliament better understand public concerns. Proposed tools 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.

While embracing technological innovation, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila emphasized that AI will complement, not replace, human decision-making.

“Our commitment is to use AI to support, not supplant, democratic processes,” she said.

Namibia is aligning its national laws with Southern African regional standards, including the SADC Model Laws on Data Protection, Cybercrime, e-Commerce, and Electronic Transactions, as well as the SADC Cyber Infrastructure Framework.

“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 also collaborating with UNESCO on the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) project to evaluate its preparedness for ethical AI deployment.

However, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the country faces several challenges, including limited funding, infrastructure, and technical skills.

“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.

She added that the government is carefully considering potential 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,” she said.

AI adoption, she said, will proceed with safeguards that uphold constitutional principles and democratic values.

“Our aim is to adopt AI in a way that enhances participation, strengthens accountability, and preserves democratic principles,” she said.