Namibia, like many other developing countries has a great need of Information Technology and telecommunication labor, but its labor lack the necessary skills and the educational institution are not graduating enough qualify students to meet the IT labor challenge facing the country. 

   Namibia import most of the skill labor needed to manage and maintain its information technology and telecommunications sector.  This is because there is a shortage of a highly skilled labor force in the country.  A large number of Namibians seeking jobs in the formal sector are hold back due to a lack of necessary skills or training.  Consequently, the government is pursuing a comprehensive educational reform program to overcome this constraints.  (9) 

   In 1995, the government earmark N$ 8 million for training in technology.

  According to Finance Week Supplement (A Namibia Financial publication) issue of September 18, 1998, Namibians six years and older form about 75% of the population.  Of this percentage, 16% of them have no formal education thus, can not read or write and 41% are presently at school. 

  Approximately 55% of the population over 20 years of age have no secondary school education.

  The University of Namibia has an active department of Information and communication studies, dedicated to training students in many different areas of information technology and telecommunications with the hope of graduating students with the necessary skill to be employed in the Information technology and telecommunications sector. (8)

   Also, in recent time, private companies have began to provide technical training to employees of businesses and individuals.  Companies such as Schoemans Office Systems provides on-going technical support and training of Microsoft, Novell and SCO Certification.  Schoemans technical services division employs 40 engineers, technicians, system analysts and programmers in Windhoek alone. (10)

   Another company that offers IT training in Namibia is call Jensen Data.  The company was established in 1998.  The company provides computer training services for individual and employees of local businesses   (11) 

   Namibia is getting help in training IT labor from Electronic Communication Network Initiative for Africa (CABECA).  CABECA is a project funded by a grant from the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC).

   The objective of this project is to promote computer networking throughout Africa.  It is administered by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

   The project provides:

• In-country and on site sensitization workshop to introduce management and other users to the concept and potential of electronic networking.
• In-country and on site skills training for systems operators.
• In-country and on site skills training for electronic networks users.  (2)

• Namibian labor problem is a legacy of apartheid.
• Namibia's economy is dominated by mining, fishing and agriculture, these industries require very little use of IT workers
• It was only in 1991, that the presence of the Internet was felt in Namibia, and even then, it usage was limited to researchers and other professionals in the higher education institutions in the country. 
• Namibia is a young country, it became independence in 1990, less than a decade ago, which means the country is still developing. 

  This page was last updated: 12/16/99

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