Namibia Launches Second Technology and Innovation Support Centre Desk in Windhoek

Namibia’s research and innovation ecosystem expanded with the official launch of a new Technology and Innovation Support Centre desk in Windhoek. Developed over a two-year period, the facility aims to bridge the gap between academic discovery and practical commercial application by opening up vast repositories of technical data to local creators.

NCRST Launches Second TISC Desk in Windhoek

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology spearheaded the initiative, establishing two distinct access points for the new infrastructure: one at the innovation centre based at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre and another at the organization’s head office in Olympia. This rollout marks the second such platform in the country, following the pioneering deployment at the Namibia University of Science and Technology in 2023.

During the opening ceremony, leadership detailed how the system functions for everyday users. Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters, Chief Executive Officer of the commission, outlined the practical mechanics of the installation during her remarks.

“We applied for the license – and the TISC desk is two computers – and you can access all expired patents, worldwide, at these computers.”

Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters, Chief Executive Officer, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology

While the physical footprint of each desk is modest—consisting of dedicated computer terminals—the digital reach spans international patent archives. Crucially, the commission confirmed that innovators, business people, entrepreneurs and researchers will get access to this resource for free under the agency’s official mandate. Officials contrasted this zero-fee structure with existing academic installations, noting that while university platforms exist, they often involve administrative or user fees.

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World Intellectual Property Organization Framework and Patent Rules

The initiative operates under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, which facilitates such installations in member countries through mandated national offices. In Namibia, the program intersects with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority, working alongside the commission to foster a culture of legal protection and technological commercialization.

However, utilizing a global database of expired intellectual property comes with strict operational caveats. Users cannot simply copy existing expired designs without modification. Creators must build upon the foundational blueprints by introducing novel elements.

As Thevillager, general manager for Research, Science, Technology and Innovation Coordination and Support at the commission, pointed out, the infrastructure directly serves academic communities by allowing university researchers to conduct rigorous investigative activities without stumbling into unintentional duplication.

Institutional Collaboration and National Development Goals

The launch event drew a cross-section of leaders from government, higher education, and vocational sectors, signaling a unified approach to the nation’s Sixth National Development Plan. Representatives from the International University of Management discussed avenues for higher-education collaboration, while vocational training representatives emphasized the relevance of technical application.

Despite these collaborative strides, institutional leaders addressed persistent structural hurdles facing the sector. Dr. Lupahla noted that data frameworks are still not well coordinated enough to provide metrics promptly for international reporting. Fragmented tracking systems can obscure the true output of domestic research institutions, potentially impacting how international funders perceive the country’s innovation landscape. The new commission desks and updated focal points are intended, in part, to correct these visibility gaps over the coming years.