By: Erastus Andreas
Through Namibia’s National Public Key Infrastructure Framework, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, CRAN, will serve as the country’s Root Certification Authority (Root CA).
The sector regulator will be providing the trust anchor for secure digital interactions across the national digital ecosystem, smoothing current trust issues related to digital and online interactions and verifications.
With economic participants wary to give out their data or participating in digital and online identification.
As part of the launch of ‘DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital’, which is a national digital trust initiative that aims to translate digital trust into practical services for citizens, businesses, government institutions, and service providers.
The National PKI is expected to support a wider range of digital services, including electronic identification, e-licensing, e-payments and e-procurement, while creating opportunities for secure digital transactions in sectors such as banking and healthcare
CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, said the National Root Certification Authority will provide the foundation for authenticating digital identities, securing electronic signatures, encrypting confidential information and protecting the integrity of digital transactions.
Root Certification Authority is now technically operational, allowing the accreditation process for certification service providers to proceed.
This also enables electronic signatures to be legally recognised in Namibia, provided they are issued by service providers accredited by CRAN.
She said regulations governing electronic signatures became operational on 15 June 2026, giving legally recognised electronic signatures the same legal standing under the Electronic Transactions Act and related regulations.
She cautioned individuals, businesses and institutions to ensure that their electronic signature providers are accredited by CRAN, warning that signatures issued by non-accredited providers will not receive the same legal recognition and protection.
Nghikembua also clarified that a scanned handwritten signature attached to a document does not automatically qualify as an electronic signature under the framework.
Certain documents, including final wills and testaments, remain excluded from electronic signing.
Speaking at the launch of DigiNam, Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration and Social Security, said the government’s digital transformation must move beyond placing existing services online and focus on connecting systems to improve service delivery.
“We are putting in place national infrastructure that will make it safer and easier for citizens, businesses and government to identify one another,” Iipumbu said.
She called for government ministries, offices and agencies to move away from isolated digital systems and adopt common standards, secure data exchange and interoperability while protecting personal information.
Iipumbu said a reliable digital identity system could help reduce identity theft, fraud and the use of false or unverified identities.
DigiNam is expected to support a wide range of applications, including e-government services, digital identity, remote customer verification, electronic contracting, online banking, healthcare records, educational credentials, and business registration services.
By establishing a trusted digital ecosystem, Namibia is creating the conditions necessary for economic participation through digital platforms, and there is an expectation of stronger cybersecurity, enhanced transparency, and improved public service delivery.
CRAN reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government, industry, financial institutions, academia, and citizens to ensure the successful adoption and growth of the national digital trust ecosystem.
The Authority believes DigiNam will play a pivotal role in transforming Namibia into a secure, innovative, and globally competitive digital economy built on trust.
