Africans in the Diaspora have been urged to play their role in defending the continent's progress made since its first attainment of freedom more than 50 years ago.

This plea was made by President Hage Geingob as he returned to the historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem in New York 40 years later, as one of the guests during a panel discussion titled "Next Narrative Africa, the Bridge''.

The conversation examined the changing narrative on the continent, which used to be associated only with poverty, hunger, and other notions contrary to socio-economic development.

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.