Lead iOS Developer at Green Enterprise Solutions, Audrey Chanakira, says data has become a critical raw material for producing digital products and services.

She says Namibia is at a disadvantage because the country does not have its own local systems to protect its data.

"Right now, as it stands, when it comes to data, what are we using in Namibia? Gmail. Where are the data centres? In America, we are buying systems from America that tell us how we need to use the systems in our country."

The general lack of any comprehensive database or profile of Namibians in the Diaspora makes it difficult to ascertain their living conditions and well-being.

This was the concern raised by the Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Penda Naanda, addressing a three-day workshop on the development and implementation plan for Namibia's diaspora policy at Swakopmund.

Naanda says no accurate data currently exists on the number of Namibians living abroad.