Make IT your year in 2026

Kehad SnydewelFor too long, many Namibian organisations, from agile SMEs to the largest parastatals, have treated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a cost centre, a necessary utility like electricity or water. In 2026, the landscape has shifted. IT is no longer just a “support department”; it is the engine room of business survival and growth. The question is no longer “Do we need technology?” but “How do we use it to build resilience?”Data governance can no longer be optional. With stricter Namibian regulations on data protection and privacy, businesses must know where their data lives, who can access it, and how it is safeguarded. This is not just about avoiding fines—it is about trust. In an era where trust is the new currency, protecting customer data is a competitive advantage.Cybersecurity threats have evolved. Cyberattacks are now AI-driven, automated, and relentless. Ransomware does not discriminate between a small family business and a large corporation. As Namibia’s oil, gas, and industrial sectors expand, robust cyber resilience is non-negotiable. Organisations must anticipate breaches, have response plans in place, and recover swiftly.For SMEs, Managed Security Services allow businesses to be protected without the cost of a full-time security team or owning infrastructure, while for corporates, implement “Zero Trust” architectures, verifying every user and device, every time.Infrastructure strategies must be flexible. While a 100% cloud approach may not always be feasible due to connectivity or data sovereignty requirements, remaining fully on-premise limits innovation. The focus should be on placing the right workload in the right environment: cloud for scalability and AI-enabled tools, on-premise for sensitive, mission-critical systems.2026 is also the year SMEs can level the playing field. You don’t need the budget of a multinational to access world-class technology. Proper use of AI and As-a-Service offerings, from software to hardware and security, can give smaller organisations a critical edge. Moving from capital-intensive investments to predictable monthly operations allows cash flow to be reinvested in business growth rather than depreciating servers.Ultimately, technology is only as effective as the people deploying it. While international solutions are appealing, the Namibian context matters. Local partners understand connectivity challenges, regulatory requirements and our unique business culture. “Namibian solutions for Namibian problems” are often the most effective.2026 is not the year to stand still. With AI and digital transformation accelerating globally, the gap between those who adapt and those who ignore change will widen. Whether you need to secure data, migrate to a hybrid environment, or streamline operations, expertise is available here in Namibia.Let’s stop talking about the future and start building it. Make IT your year.* Kehad Snydewel is the Managing Director of Green Enterprise Solutions.

Make IT your year in 2026

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Republikein 2026-01-13

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Make IT your year in 2026

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Republikein 2026-01-13

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