Further takeaways from the discussions and how I see them benefitting Namibia; :

Digital Equity: One of the most discussed topics was the need to bridge the digital divide, particularly in countries like Namibia. The Compact highlights universal digital connectivity, but there is an urgent need to translate these goals into action by ensuring funding and infrastructure development.

Data Privacy: Namibia is at a critical juncture where digital rights and data privacy are becoming increasingly important. The Compact’s focus on setting global standards for data protection resonates deeply, especially as African countries seek to align with global norms without compromising sovereignty.

Cybersecurity and Trust: The Compact emphasizes cybersecurity, but more is needed to foster trust, especially among countries with varying levels of digital infrastructure. Namibia, like many African nations, faces challenges in balancing cybersecurity with internet freedom.

A.I Governance: As A.I becomes integral to various sectors, the Compact aims to ensure transparency and fairness in A.I systems. This aligns with the rising discussions in Namibia about A.I for socio-economic development while avoiding biases and general harm to society.

Gaps in the Global Digital Compact

While the Compact lays a solid foundation for global digital governance, some gaps were evident from a Namibian perspective.

Local Contexts Missing: Despite the Compact’s global ambition, it falls short in recognizing the distinct challenges of smaller nations like Namibia, where infrastructure and policy capacity lag behind. This is particularly critical in ensuring digital equity across the board.

Length and Structure of Discussions: During our meetings with U.S. State Department officials, several critical points around digital rights in Namibia and the Global south were raised. However, I felt the sessions could have been more impactful if they had been longer and more structured. The dialogues were informal and often rushed, lacking the depth required to address cross-cutting issues such as the intersection of digital rights with political stability and social justice.

Cybersecurity Capacity: The Compact highlights cybersecurity, but without concrete measures to support capacity building, the goals might remain unattainable. Technical and financial support from larger economies will be crucial for countries with limited resources to enforce cybersecurity norms.

Meaningful Participation of Civil Society: While the inclusion of civil society in these discussions was appreciated, the process could benefit from more formalized structures to allow for deeper engagement. Many of the nuances around digital rights in the global south and consequently, Namibia, were left unexplored due to time constraints and the lack of a dedicated forum for extended dialogue.

Moving Forward

The Global Digital Compact represents a promising framework to guide digital transformation globally, but its success will depend on how inclusively it is implemented. For Namibia, it’s crucial that this compact goes beyond paper and manifests into tangible actions like infrastructure development, data governance policies, and cybersecurity capacity building.

The civil society sessions I participated in were a step in the right direction, but there remains a need for more formalized platforms that allow for in-depth, cross-cutting discussions to ensure that voices from nations like Namibia are not just heard but lead to action.

Namibia has an important role to play in shaping its digital future, and through platforms like the Namibia Internet Governance Forum, we must continue to push for local solutions. The Global Digital Compact offers a framework, but it is up to all of us to ensure that it becomes a tool for equitable digital development.

Finally, we are grateful to the U.S. State Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, for providing us with a unique opportunity to engage with other civil society organizations, international country representatives from across sectors as well as various U.S state department officials.