More than 120 Namibian professionals who received training in India through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme gathered in Windhoek to reflect on how skills gained abroad have continued to shape their careers. The training provided by the Indian government since 1964 offers fully funded opportunities to professionals from developing countries in areas such as information technology and cybersecurity.
Martha Nghipandulwa, who underwent digital forensics training in India in 2017, highlighted the growing importance of specialised digital skills in Namibia as the country expands its use of technology and faces emerging challenges linked to cybercrime and digital evidence. Nghipandulwa shared that crimes are increasingly committed through digital and electronic platforms, making her training crucial in her work in law enforcement.
The ITEC programme has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many Namibian professionals, with over 1 700 beneficiaries from Namibia since the country's independence. Indian High Commissioner to Namibia Rahul Shrivastava said the programme has established an alumni network comprising about 1 700 experts and officials, including defence personnel and officials from various ministries.
Andreas Heskiel, another ITEC beneficiary who completed training in cloud computing, said the programme exposed him to different software and practical approaches that he has since applied in his work. The training comes as cloud computing and other digital technologies become increasingly important to organisations dealing with large volumes of information and digital services.
Namibia’s National Digital Strategy for 2025 to 2028 identifies digital skills, data protection and security as key components of the country’s digital transformation agenda. The ministry of information and communication technology (MICT) has also identified cybersecurity skills and infrastructure as priorities in its 2025–2030 strategic plan, highlighting the relevance of ITEC training.
The Windhoek event featured presentations by former beneficiaries who shared their experiences with Indian institutions and counterparts, as well as their exposure to Indian culture and traditions. The gathering provided an opportunity for former participants to strengthen the alumni network while reflecting on how the training has been applied in their respective professional fields.
India currently offers more than 10 000 fully funded training opportunities annually, with nearly 9 000 professionals attending ITEC courses during the 2025–26 period. Nghipandulwa emphasized that the value of specialised training such as digital forensics lies in its continued application as technology and the nature of crime evolve, making it a vital component of Namibia's efforts to address emerging challenges.
Key points
- Over 1 700 Namibian professionals have benefited from ITEC training in India.
- ITEC programme offers fully funded training opportunities to professionals from developing countries.
- Namibia identifies digital skills, data protection and security as key components of its digital transformation agenda.
