The role of digitalization for sustainable local economic development of a community in Namibia

Abstract

This study dwelt on the role of digitalization for sustainable local economic development of a community in Namibia. In spite of the fact that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a big role in socio-economic development, there is no clear indication on how it can be utilized to realize this purpose in the Namibia context. There is a phobia that people have about embracing the "technological determinism theory" thus they regard ICTs as a remedy that will solve all developmental challenges, without understanding that it can be infused within the local context, or with ill-conceived anticipations about its usability. Despite the fact that there are several huge digital projects in Namibia, it is still unclear how such technology is touching peoples’ lives particularly those in rural-based communities like the Oshikoto region. The general approach used in this thesis was the interpretive paradigm due to the subjective nature of the problem and as such the research design was qualitative since the study aimed at exploring the role of digitalization in sustaining rural development. The qualitative approach helped in finding out the views and perception of technology and non-technology users of a rural setting using Oshikoto region as a case study. The outcome is that digitalization of local government services can indeed sustain economic development of communities. Permission to conduct the study and in the selected locality was obtained, issues of confidentiality were emphasised and respondents were given the liberty to answer or not to answer the questions posed The general findings indicate that the use of ICTs in Oshikoto has changed some people’s lives who have used it in changing degrees for example to improve working performance through the use of the computer, improving performance of students through basic computer skills and retrieving relevant information on development through the use of Internet, publications, and media services.