Namibia Launches Regional Consultations on Proposed Cybercrime Law

Namibia Launches Regional Consultations on Proposed Cybercrime Law. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has begun a series of regional consultations on Namibia’s proposed Cybercrime Bill, seeking public input to help shape the country’s legal response to digital crime.

The consultations are designed to gather comments, understand lived experiences, identify gaps, and ensure the final legislation is practical, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of Namibians. The process brings together a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to the development of the bill.

On the first leg of the consultations, Executive Director Linda Nakale and her team are in Oshakati. Participants include community members, traditional authorities, educators, youth representatives, civil society organisations, small and medium enterprises, financial institutions, ICT professionals, and law enforcement officials from the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, and Omusati regions.

According to the ministry, the proposed law aims to strengthen protection for individuals and organisations in the digital space. The Cybercrime Bill seeks to criminalise offenses such as online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, hacking, online exploitation, and other forms of digital crime.

By hosting consultations across regions, MICT is aiming to ensure that voices from different communities and sectors are reflected in the final framework. The ministry has emphasised the importance of public participation in shaping legislation that addresses both current and emerging cyber threats.

The regional engagement process is expected to inform revisions to the bill before it proceeds further in the legislative process. Through these consultations, the ministry is working to build a legal framework that balances digital innovation with safety and accountability in Namibia’s growing online environment.