Enabling socio-economic benefits through digital literacy
Digital literacy refers to the ability to use technological devices such as computers, smartphones, and the internet to access, understand, evaluate, interpret, and communicate information effectively and efficiently.Additionally, digital literacy is supported by elements such as infrastructure, including functional and reliable internet services and devices, among others. These elements empower individuals to make informed decisions, solve everyday problems, and unlock opportunities for individuals and communities to participate meaningfully in modern economic and social activities.
According to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia’s (CRAN) Quarterly Statistics Bulletin for the period January to March 2025, there was a 2% decrease in mobile broadband usage via mobile phones, whereas usage through dongles and routers increased by 12%. Namibians primarily use the internet for social media, with Facebook leading, followed by WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. The data reflects a shift in the population’s preference towards data-intensive, multimedia-driven platforms.
Furthermore, when a population becomes digitally literate, it can overcome traditional barriers such as geography, infrastructure, and income levels in order to engage in and benefit from various socio-economic activities. Digital literacy opens new avenues for inclusion and offers a myriad of opportunities that can be explored.
For example, online education offers flexibility and a wealth of learning opportunities. It promotes personal development, professional growth, and lifelong learning, bridging the gap for those with limited access to physical learning facilities.
Similarly, industries are increasingly digitising their processes, including recruitment. Without basic digital literacy, individuals may find themselves excluded from both local and global employment opportunities. Bridging this skills gap is essential to ensure equal access to jobs and to keep pace with digital transformation in the workplace.
Digital literacy also improves access to healthcare services. Increasingly, medical professionals are offering online consultations and issuing digital prescriptions. Likewise, pharmaceutical services are dispensing prescribed medication and delivering it to people’s doorsteps. These innovations reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and help ensure timely medical care.
In addition, digital literacy—particularly in the area of e-commerce—equips entrepreneurs with tools to expand their reach beyond physical borders, open new markets, and enhance service delivery. This enables local businesses, whether small start-ups or large enterprises, to build competitiveness and resilience. E-commerce allows entrepreneurs to buy and sell goods or services online and spans models such as business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and consumer-to-consumer (C2C).
Therefore, being digitally literate is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. It enables individuals to participate fully in a rapidly changing digital society. Importantly, digital literacy is part of a broader digital ecosystem that must be supported through infrastructure, policy, and public-private cooperation.
To this end, CRAN has initiated various projects to promote digital literacy at schools and public resource centres across Namibia. CRAN has also reinforced its commitment to partnerships by collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, as well as Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture, to ensure greater impact and nationwide reach.
As Namibia moves towards a more connected and inclusive future, may we all harness the vast opportunities presented by digital literacy—enabling national growth and empowering all citizens to reap the full socio-economic benefits.
* Ella-Betty Chapoto is a Practitioner: Consumer Relations and Advocacy at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).