Professor Dr Anicia Peters: Driving Namibia's Tech Innovation Future

What does it take for a nation to flourish in the fast-evolving world of research, science, and technology? How can a country turn its limited resources into powerful drivers of innovation and progress? These are the questions that guide Namibia’s quest to become a beacon of scientific and technological advancement in Africa. As the global spotlight shines brighter on groundbreaking innovations in AI, green energy, and sustainability, Namibia faces a critical challenge: building the infrastructure and support systems that can propel these fields forward. With the urgency for specialized facilities, robust research funding, and a unified national strategy, the road ahead is both daunting and full of promise.

At the heart of this transformation stands Professor Dr. Anicia Peters, a visionary leader whose work is steering Namibia towards a future of innovation.

Dr. Anicia Peters’ academic journey spans a B.Tech in Information Technology and Business Computing from the Polytechnic of Namibia, an MSc and PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Iowa State University, supported by the Fulbright Science and Technology Award, Schlumberger, and Google Fellowships. She furthered her expertise with postdoctoral research at Oregon State University, earning recognition for her groundbreaking contributions to research and innovation. She also worked both in academia and private sector in different countries such as United States (Silicon Valley), Germany and Namibia.

Professor Dr. Anicia Peters, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology (NCRST), identifies inadequate public funding for research, science, technology, and innovation (RSTI) as one of the biggest challenges facing Namibia. This lack of funding results in insufficient national RSTI infrastructure, such as certified and accredited laboratories, essential equipment, and financing grants for research and development (R&D) and innovation. As a result, the country struggles to retain its research and technology talent, with many researchers having to use international facilities or leaving in search of better opportunities abroad.

Enhancing Namibian Autonomy

Dr. Peters highlights that researchers require access to specialized facilities, equipment, and resources such as fully funded PhD and Masters studentships, postdoctoral positions, and curated data for AI development. Furthermore, the need for datacenters and high-performance computing centers is critical to advancing cutting-edge technologies. The lack of these key elements contributes to the broader issue of brain drain across Africa, where researchers are drawn away by countries offering better infrastructure and funding.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Peters sees immense opportunities for transformative, impactful, and transdisciplinary research to provide solutions to Namibia’s pressing challenges, including water, energy, agriculture, health, fintech, and tourism. With adequate funding and infrastructure, Namibia could unlock significant benefits for its citizens while driving innovation across various sectors. She also stresses that increased national investments in R&D would not only help the country prioritize its own research objectives but also attract external funding, as external investors seek collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships. In contrast, the current state of funding means that external sources often dictate the research agenda, limiting the country’s autonomy in setting its own priorities.

Pioneering Rapid Innovation with HCI and Design Thinking

With her background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Dr. Peters views the field as a critical element that brings together various interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Drawing inspiration from the famous phrase from The Lion King, where she refers to the “domain of HCI” as encompassing everything “that the sun touches and even that which is in the elephants’ graveyard,” Dr. Peters emphasizes how HCI serves as the cohesive force that binds different areas of research, technology, and community-oriented work. This expansive view of HCI allows her to approach innovation initiatives from a holistic perspective, particularly when faced with domains she is less familiar with. By focusing on how technology can improve systems, processes, people, and outcomes, Dr. Peters collaborates closely with domain experts to bridge gaps and develop impactful solutions.

Her approach to leading large-scale innovation initiatives blends design-thinking with a hackathon methodology. She follows a rapid, iterative cycle of design-thinking to quickly generate possible solutions, test them, and refine them based on feedback. This fast-paced approach enables her to create multiple alternatives, often at a pace that others might find too quick. Her ability to visualize problems and solutions in her mind has been developed through HCI techniques such as storyboarding, cognitive walkthroughs, paper prototyping, and think-aloud methods. These techniques have helped shape her vivid mental imagery, which plays a significant role in how she approaches problem-solving and decision-making.

User experience (UX) plays a central role in Dr. Peters’ work, with a particular focus on security and trustworthiness in systems. She also follows the principle of “fail fast and fail often,” but with a pragmatic twist given the context of her work in Africa, where the cost of failure can be prohibitive. To mitigate this risk, she applies HCI techniques like paper prototypes and wireframes to test ideas before committing to costly implementations. In addition to her practical approach, Dr. Peters has developed a short course on rapid design and development with a focus on user experience, which she has taught in Namibia and other countries as a visiting professor.

Leading Namibia’s and Africa’s 4IR Transformation

Dr. Peters’ experience spans the entire lifecycle of technology projects, from user research and design to modeling, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance. Her deep involvement in large-scale technology initiatives, such as e-government systems, COVID-related software applications, 3D medical devices, and national strategies and games, has helped her hone her project management skills. She applies these skills to ensure that projects are executed efficiently and that her students, both Master’s and PhD, complete their work within the allocated timeframes, further reinforcing her commitment to effective project delivery and innovation.

Professor Dr. Peters reflects on her experience as the Chairperson of the Namibia Presidential Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a transformative and challenging moment in her career. When she first opened the letter from the late President appointing her to the role, she was taken by surprise. The appointment, however, came with little initial support—no resources were allocated, and she was tasked with sourcing funding for the task force, including organizing a national conference and expo. Despite these challenges, Dr. Peters demonstrated her resourcefulness and commitment to the cause by successfully attracting volunteers and securing funding for critical roles, including a full-time Research Chair in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a postdoctoral researcher to support specific aspects of the task.

Balancing this high-demand role with her full-time position at the University, her work on the Green Hydrogen technical committee, and her role as Technical Programme Co-chair for the ACM CHI 2023, Dr. Peters poured significant personal effort into stakeholder engagement, research, and writing, often sacrificing nights and weekends. The sheer workload was exhausting, but she continued to push forward and completed successfully all of the tasks, driven by her dedication to the task and her passion for transformative work.

Currently she is co-chairing the Africa 4IR Working Group of the African Union’s Africa Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC) to develop a 4IR policy and strategy for the continent.

Forging Namibia’s Path to a Digital-Green Future

After submitting her mid-year report to the late President, Dr. Peters had a moment of self-reflection. As a gender researcher and advocate, she recognized that women often take on more service-oriented tasks, whereas men tend to surround themselves with resources. With this in mind, she made a bold request for a Project Manager to support the task force. This request turned out to be a pivotal moment. The other Presidential Business Rescue Task Force, which had been appointed at the same time and was chaired by a man, had secured an excellent Project Manager, whom Dr. Peters was able to share for the latter half of her project. This partnership with the Project Manager transformed the dynamics of the task force, enabling her to focus on providing strategic direction, assembling the right teams, and guiding the mobilization of financial resources for the national conference and expo.

With the right resources in place, Dr. Peters was able to lead the task force to tangible outcomes, including securing funding and consulting support for the National Digital Transformation Strategy. One of the big dreams of the task force was to highlight the interconnectedness between Namibia’s green hydrogen initiatives and artificial intelligence (AI) with a robust digital infrastructure, a vision that was central to Dr. Peters’ leadership.

Dr. Peters speaks fondly of the incredible opportunity to consult with Namibians from all walks of life and work under the direction of the late President. His support was evident when he twice requested her to present unprepared to his entire cabinet, impressed by the findings and recommendations of the task force. Dr. Peters’ relationship with the late President was one of mutual respect and admiration, and his belief in her work, especially around digital technology and green hydrogen, was a source of encouragement throughout the project.

Igniting Innovation Renaissance

At the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), several key initiatives are underway to position Namibia as a leader in technology innovation within Africa. One of the most significant developments is the establishment of a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, alongside the creation of a National AI Working Group. This group is dedicated to working on various AI projects, and NCRST has issued seven research grants for 2024, focusing on AI and its applications across different domains.

In response to Namibia’s recurring water crises, particularly due to frequent droughts and its status as an arid country, NCRST is working on long-term solutions. These efforts are being informed by Scientific Culture Creative Forums on the Future of Water, which are taking place throughout the country. These forums bring together scientists, innovators, indigenous knowledge holders, and the culture creative industry to collaborate on innovative solutions. Additionally, NCRST coordinates research on energy, particularly focusing on renewable energy, green hydrogen, oil and gas, and biomass. One particularly exciting project involves the integration of Extended Reality, AI, and green hydrogen to tackle specific challenges in the energy sector.

NCRST also plays a pivotal role in regional innovation initiatives. It serves as the focal point for the Southern African Innovation Collective (SAIC) and coordinates the local and regional BOOST UP, a regional boot camp and pitch competition. In November 2024, NCRST began co-coordinating a new Innovation Agencies of Africa Network alongside the Kenya Innovation Agency, the University of Johannesburg, and with funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the National Research Foundation of South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation and the Technical Innovation Agency of South Africa.

The National Innovation Challenge, which NCRST runs, has placed particular emphasis on supporting women innovators in recent years. The organization has supported over 2,000 women innovators, many of whom have successfully brought their products and services to the market. In addition to this, NCRST has also been dedicated to fostering innovation among school learners and communities and are running the highly successful National Science Fairs and Mathematics Olympiads.

Despite facing challenges due to the lack of a dedicated National Innovation Hub, NCRST is planning to build a National Innovation Valley soon. In the interim, the organization is working on setting up tech maker spaces, incubation spaces, and science demonstration centers in partnership with other institutions. NCRST continues to run innovation challenges, support walk-in innovators—particularly tech startups and entrepreneurs—and host hackathons to encourage creativity and problem-solving.

The dedication to innovation is driven by the belief in the incredible potential of Namibians. Dr. Peters, who leads these efforts, is deeply committed to supporting innovators and providing the necessary infrastructure for their success, believing that with the right support, the country can achieve great things through its talented people.

Leaving an Indelible Legacy of Transformation and Progress

During her tenure as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Development at the University of Namibia (UNAM), Prof. Dr. Peters led several transformative projects that had significant impacts on the institution and the nation. Some of the key initiatives included:

Automating and Decentralizing the Research Ethics System: Dr. Peters spearheaded the automation and decentralization of the research ethics system at UNAM, drastically improving turnaround times to a maximum of 14 days. This innovation addressed the challenges posed by the previously manual, centralized system, which had been a source of frustration for both academics and students.
Establishment of the Namibia Green Hydrogen Research Institute: Under her leadership, UNAM became the host institution for the Namibia Green Hydrogen Research Institute, a pivotal project aimed at advancing the country’s green hydrogen initiatives and supporting its transition to sustainable energy.
Certified COVID Testing Laboratory: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Peters played a key role in establishing and supporting a certified COVID testing laboratory at UNAM, which was crucial in the fight against the virus.
3D Printed Oxygen Devices: In response to the oxygen shortage in Namibia in July 2021, Dr. Peters led the development of 3D-printed oxygen devices. These devices were designed in collaboration with emergency room doctors and helped alleviate the critical shortage of oxygen in the country.
National Locust Research and Campaign: Dr. Peters also led a national initiative to address the locust plague that was affecting the country. Despite limited resources, the project focused on pooling scientific expertise, resources, and the collaboration of researchers and students to tackle the challenge.
Improving UNAM’s Global Ranking: One of Dr. Peters’ significant achievements was leading efforts to increase UNAM’s research outputs, build partnerships, and secure external funding. These initiatives resulted in the university being ranked on the Times Higher Education Ranking System, a remarkable achievement that boosted UNAM’s global visibility and reputation.

As a Faculty Dean at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), she led the establishment of a Namibia-India Centre of Excellence in Information Technology and High Performance Computing facilities; a Oracle Academy; establishing NUST as a DAAD In-Region Centre for Computer Science. She also established three ACM Chapters, supported the Google Developers’ Group and Facebook Developers’ Circles, ran regular hackathons and tech camps. She also increased research output in Computer Science and built a conductive environment for researchers.

These initiatives not only advanced research and innovation at UNAM and NUST but also contributed to addressing critical national issues, solidifying Dr. Peters’ legacy as a transformative leader in academia and research.

Fostering Human-Centered Innovation

Prof. Dr. Peters’ involvement with the ACM CHI (Computer-Human Interaction) community has had a profound influence on her perspective regarding technology’s role in social impact. She considers the CHI community to be her academic family, one from which she both receives and contributes significantly. The CHI community is known for its diversity and innovation, consistently presenting cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible today. The community is a blend of three key areas: the “C” for Computer (focused on technical aspects), the “H” for Human (exploring human attributes, including physical, biological, and psychological elements), and the “I” for Interaction (studying interactions between humans, non-human species, communities, machines, and various forms of input devices).

Through her involvement in CHI, Dr. Peters learned the importance of ensuring that technology is developed with a positive societal impact, driven by the needs and definitions of the relevant communities themselves. Her role as Technical Programme Co-Chair for the CHI2023 conference was a particularly rewarding experience, especially with the support of the Africa HCI community. Despite the demanding nature of the role, Dr. Peters found great joy in it, calling it one of the most fulfilling moments of her life.

Shaping the Future of HCI in Africa and Beyond

Dr. Peters is also the founder of the successful Africa HCI Conference series (AfriCHI), which has held biannual conferences in various African countries, including Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, and Egypt, with plans for a 2025 conference. This sub-community of ACM SIGCHI and CHI shares the same passion for HCI and the African continent.

In addition, Dr. Peters established several student organizations and ACM chapters in both the USA and Namibia. One notable achievement was co-founding the ISU Women of Colour Network, which received a White House Service Award in 2015. She has also been instrumental in establishing ACM Professional and SIGCHI Chapters in Namibia, along with a Women in Computing Network and an ACM Women chapter.

Her experience with ACM CHI and HCI research has also influenced the types of research she pursues. For example, during her postdoctoral work at Oregon State University, she collaborated with Prof. Margaret Burnett on the GenderMag research, which focused on the gender inclusivity of software design. She also worked on virtual reality research with John Deere at Iowa State University, further demonstrating the broad and impactful reach of her work within the HCI community.

Blueprint for Socioeconomic Development

In Prof. Dr. Peters’ view, for Africa to fully leverage technology and innovation for socioeconomic development, several key factors are crucial:

Facilities and Infrastructure: There is a need for robust technological infrastructure and facilities to support innovation and tech development across the continent.
Adequate Tech Funding: Adequate financial support is essential for fostering innovation. Investment in technology startups and research is crucial for scaling up solutions that address Africa’s unique challenges.
Skills Development: Building a strong, skilled workforce capable of developing and implementing technology solutions is vital for Africa’s progress in innovation.
Conducive Regulatory Systems: The establishment of favorable regulatory environments that balance innovation with oversight is critical for fostering growth while ensuring responsible use of technology.
Coordination of Actors and Activities: There needs to be better coordination among various stakeholders—governments, businesses, research institutions, and communities—to ensure that efforts are aligned and resources are utilized efficiently.

Dr. Peters also emphasizes the importance of building a critical mass of technology developers focused on solving Africa’s specific challenges, such as those in the water-energy-food security nexus, healthcare (one health), and housing. These developers should be grounded in ethical, responsible, and human-centered principles when designing their solutions.

Finally, she stresses the need for Africa to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude. This mindset, combined with the right amount of regulation and flexibility, would help create an environment where innovation can thrive and drive socioeconomic development.

Leading the Vanguard of Africa’s Tech Ecosystem

In Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters’ view, Namibia has the potential to evolve as a leader in Africa’s tech ecosystem over the next five years. Despite its smaller population, Namibia’s innovation-driven youth and growing tech startup scene position it to leapfrog other nations, not just in technology but in broader innovation. Namibia is already ranked 8th in Africa for its global startup ecosystem, showcasing the potential for rapid growth.

Key factors contributing to Namibia’s promising future in tech include:

Infrastructure and Connectivity: With strong telecommunications and physical infrastructure, Namibia is poised to become a hub for virtual AI development, providing tech solutions to other African countries.
Education and Skills Development: The introduction of new degrees and the growing enthusiasm among young minds and HCI researchers will provide valuable skills to the wider African continent.
Tech Startup Ecosystem: Namibia’s emerging tech startup scene, coupled with innovation-driven solutions aimed at addressing local community problems, offers a strong foundation for future growth. Establishing Innovation Valleys, tech maker spaces, and incubation centers will further nurture this ecosystem.
Mindset: Adopting a proactive “just do it!” attitude, while navigating necessary regulations, is vital. With the right people and mindset, Namibia has the potential to excel and provide valuable contributions to the African tech landscape.

With these elements in place, Namibia could play a central role in shaping Africa’s tech future, driving innovation and providing solutions for the continent and beyond.

Preserving the Namibian Culture

Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with Namibia’s cultural and ethical values through responsible design and a community co-design approach. She believes that innovation should respect indigenous knowledge, local norms, and sustainability values, ensuring that technological advancements are in harmony with the community’s needs and cultural heritage.

Key principles guiding this balance include:

Community Co-design Approach: Innovations should be developed in collaboration with local communities, incorporating their knowledge and input to ensure that technology serves their needs and aligns with their values.
Respect for Indigenous Knowledge: Technology must honor and integrate traditional knowledge and practices, acknowledging the value of cultural heritage in the innovation process.
Protective Legislation: Innovation should comply with protective laws, such as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), which safeguard the rights of communities and ensure that they benefit from the use of their resources and knowledge.
Minimizing Harm: Responsible innovation must adhere to the principle of “do no harm,” striving to minimize any potential negative impact on communities and the environment.
National Bioeconomy Strategy: Examples like the National Bioeconomy Strategy, led by NCRST, highlight how innovation can be developed with ethical considerations, promoting sustainability while fostering economic growth.

By embedding these values into the innovation process, Namibia can ensure that technological advancements not only drive progress but also respect and enhance the cultural and ethical fabric of the nation.

Elevating the Next Generation of Tech Leaders

Prof. Dr. Anicia Peters emphasizes a leadership style that fosters innovation and high-performance standards through clear communication, team empowerment, and a strong sense of collective vision. She believes in providing clarity on team roles, systems, and processes, which allows team members to operate with minimal supervision while maintaining a shared goal. Her leadership approach is likened to a soccer game—where each team member is given the responsibility to keep the ball in play and work together to score the goals. She highlights that having fun and fostering a positive team culture is key to success, using examples like team golf sessions and the Jerusalema Dance Challenge to engage her team and build camaraderie.

Regarding her global travels, she believes they have significantly influenced her vision for research and development in Namibia and Africa. By establishing international networks, she has put Namibia on the global map and gained insights into what is possible. These experiences have driven her to aim for ambitious goals, such as the unfolding AI and green hydrogen projects in Namibia. She advocates for collaboration between regions with resources and those with challenges, seeing such partnerships as mutually beneficial for solving problems.

Her leadership in global projects, such as the Google Inclusion Grant and cross-border research initiatives like HCI-AI, has expanded the reach of African innovation. Additionally, she established the Oracle Academy and the India-Namibia Centre of Excellence in IT at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, creating opportunities for African students and professionals. Her work with Women in Tech and technology camps has empowered both young girls and adult women across Africa to engage with technology, continuing her mission to inspire and elevate the next generation of tech leaders.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Anicia Peters channels her passion for writing through poetry and short stories. She plans to write a series of books on raising her own, adopted and foster children, covering topics such as raising a highly gifted child who constantly astounds her, raising an average child, and raising a child with special needs.