Namibia has been ranked 96th out of 181 countries in the 2025 Technology and Innovation Report published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which assesses countries’ readiness to adopt frontier technologies.
The Frontier Technologies Readiness Index evaluates five key pillars: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Skills, Research and Development (R&D), Industry, and Finance. Based on its composite score of 0.43, Namibia remains classified as a lower-middle economy, unchanged from previous assessments since the index’s inception in 2021.
Under the ranking, Namibia has made no change in its position and scores a 0.43 in its assessment. Under the ICT ranking, we are placed at 120, Skills rank at 114 positions, R&D places us at 111, Industry at 47, and Finance at 55.
Namibia shares the lower-middle category with countries such as Trinidad & Tobago, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Albania, Libya, and Ecuador, all of which rank above Namibia. Below Namibia are several other nations from Africa, South America, Asia, and Oceania, most of which fall under the lower-middle and low-readiness categories.
On the African continent, South Africa is the highest-ranked nation, classified as an upper-middle economy within the top 60 globally. Morocco and Tunisia also fall in this upper-middle bracket.
The index methodology, established in the 2021 report, scores countries on a scale from 0 to 1. For 2024, the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom recorded the highest scores, demonstrating strong capabilities in adopting and benefiting from advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and green energy innovations.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasised that understanding the adoption of frontier technologies is essential in preparing economies for new waves of industrial transformation.
“Frontier technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping economies and societies. But their rapid spread is often outpacing governments’ ability to respond effectively,” Grynspan stated.
The 2025 report explores how governments can design policies that ensure inclusive technological development.
It highlights the risks of increased inequality if access to emerging technologies remains concentrated among a few powerful companies and countries.
“If not guided by ethical oversight and transparency, the uneven diffusion of AI could exacerbate existing global inequalities,” Grynspan warned.
The report also identifies three critical pillars for the successful adoption of these technologies: infrastructure, data, and skills.
These are essential for building resilient systems, promoting inclusive industrialization, and driving sustainable innovation.
Grynspan pointed out the significant concentration of AI development in a handful of companies and countries, which could further widen existing digital divides.
From a national perspective, the report recommends tailored policies to support the development, adaptation, and ethical use of AI.
From a global perspective, it advocates for international governance frameworks to guide AI towards inclusive and equitable outcomes.
The 2025 report underscores the need for global cooperation, comprehensive measurement, and strategic policymaking to ensure frontier technologies contribute meaningfully to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering long-term, inclusive development.